It was a peaceful morning on Arus in Castle of Lions, as the Arusian sun began rising up at the sky, shining its light at the castle. Most of the Paladins are sleeping peacefully, except for Shiro and Keith. The alarms in the Castle of Lions start blaring.
"Everybody up! Zarkon's attacking! The Castle's about to be destroyed! Go, go, go! We need Voltron now!" Shouted Allura loudly from the castle microphone.
Hunk woke up immediately from the alarm and fell out of bed, he got up and tried to go to the main bridge, he tripped over his blanket and fell to the floor, Shiro finished his push-ups and ran out of his room, Lana didn't hear the alarm as the soft music from the headphones block the noise and she's still sleep through the alarm.
Keith place his knife in his belt and jump out of his bed as he grab his jacket runs out of his room. Pidge woken up from the alarm by the med bay, dropping his laptop, and quickly got up and head to the main bridge with Rover following behind.
"Hurry, we can't survive much longer!" Shouted Allura from the microphone.
"You've got to sell it a little bit more." Said Coran as Allura hands Coran the microphone and clearing his throat. "Oh, no! Allura is dead! Aw, it's horrible! Her head fell off! Wait! What. . . Her severed head is trying to speak to me! What is it, Allura's head. . . What are your final words?"
"Coran." Said Allura looking at Coran but he wasn't listening.
"Oh, yes, Princess, I'm listening." Said Coran continued acting horribly.
"It's over." Said Allura's annoyingly as the alarms are off.
"Oh, I know, if only Voltron had been formed." Said Coran until he saw the others arrive at the bridge. "Oh. . . Time!"
"I guess this isn't an actual attack." Said Shiro understanding that this is a drill exercise.
"And it's a good thing it wasn't because it took you. . . Coran?" Asked Allura looking at her royal advisor.
"Seventy-five degrees." Said Coran confusing Allura till he realized a mistake. "Oh, sorry, no, this is a meat thermometer."
"However long it was, it was too long, you must always be ready to do battle with Zarkon." Said Allura looking at the paladins with a frown. "Look at you, only Shiro is in uniform, Keith, Pidge, Hunk, where are your bayards. . . And where is Lance?"
Then the doors opened revealing Lana, still in her pajamas and has Blue Lion slippers on, and her face shine as she have taken off her face mask.
"Good morning, everybody, what's going on?" Said Lana walking in the main bridge.
Keith turn to Lana and was about to say something, till his eyes widen a bit and his face began to feel hot. The pajamas Lana wears a light blue pajama tank top with blue spaghetti straps and a blue edge on the top. Her pajama bottoms are light blue, having a light pink drawstring. Keith blushed but shook his head, as turn away from Lana's attractive shoulders and her cute small chest, and Allura continues to talk.
"Coran and I have been up for hours getting the Castle back in order." Said Allura explaining to the paladins. "We had to run a test on the alarms, and we decided to test you as well, guess which one failed."
"Hey, you got to sleep for 10,000 years, man." Said Hunk still feeling tired. "Monday night, I was on Earth. Now, I've flown through space, fought some evil alien named Zarkon, eaten goo in some weird castle. That's a lot to process in. . . I don't know, what day is today?"
"It's the third quintant of the Spicolian movement, Hump day!" Said Coran explains to Hunk.
"It's a lot to process." Said Hunk still feeling new to this.
"You must understand the stakes of our mission, over the last 10,000 years, the Castle picked up distress beacons from the following locations." Said Allura bringing up a map of the universe from the Castleship's computer and displays the amount of distress beacons. "So, we have to assume that Zarkon has conquered almost the entire known universe. Earth is here, an attack on your planet is inevitable."
"Oh, no." Said Hunk looking worried.
"Exactly, our mission is to free all those planets, Coran and I are getting the Castle ready to leave Arus." Said Allura explaining the paladins of the situation. "During that time, you have to learn to form Voltron, so we can begin fighting Zarkon."
"The Princess is right, let's get to our lions and start training." Said Shiro looking at his team.
"Wait, I want to talk to the prisoners we rescued from the Galra ship." Said Pidge looking at Shiro.
"Ah, negative, Number Five, I have you ranked by height, okay?" Said Coran measuring Pidge with arms. "The prisoners need to remain in the cryo-replenishers until tomorrow."
"That's right, now, get to your lions." Said Allura instructed and the paladins obey.
The Paladins head to their Lions, donning their armor before traveling by zip-line to their lions. However Hunk's zip line stops, and falls from his own weight and the zip-line continues without him, so he slides down the shaft slowly.
The Paladins reach their Speeders that take them to their Lions. However Hunk was late to arrive and drop from the zip-line hole, so his speeder takes off without him, and he groan in frustration. Meanwhile outside the Castle of Lions, the other Paladins wait for Hunk as the lions also wait for the Yellow Lion.
"Should someone go in after him?" Asked Lana looking concerned.
'We should wait, Yellow must've overslept again.' Said Blue as Hunk and Yellow finally arrived.
"Hey, sorry, everybody. Seriously, though, can't they park these things, like, a little closer to the Bridge?" Said Hunk flying Yellow to the others.
'I've been asking myself the same question when my first Paladin tried to get to me.' Said Yellow apologizing to his Paladin.
"All right, guys, let's just fly in tight formation until we're totally in sync." Said Shiro looking at his team.
"Feel the bond with your lions and your fellow pilots until five become one unit and you form Voltron!" Said Allura encouraging them through the castle comm system.
So the five Paladins and the Lions have all take off flying in formation as they all yelled in enthusiasm and excitement as they kept flying in formation, but apparently nothing seem to happen no matter how much they feel the enthusiasm, and they started to dismissed the enthusiasm as they all start to get bored.
"Whoo, am I the only one who's still pretending to be excited?" Asked Hunk and the other's silence were their confirmation.
"Clearly, this isn't working, let's set down for a little bit." Said Shiro seeing that nothing is happening.
"Maybe we should be building Voltron from the ground up." Said Keith suggesting an idea.
"What do you mean?" Asked Shiro getting curious.
"I mean, let's try literally building Voltron, like, stacking on top of each other." Said Keith explaining Shiro.
"Like a cheerleader pyramid?" Asked Lana snickered at the idea.
'What's that?' Asked Blue looking confused.
"I'll explain later Blue." Said Lana to her Lion.
"You got a better idea?" Asked Keith annoyingly and Lana frowned.
"It's worth a try." Said Shiro agreeing with Keith.
The Paladins began stacking their Lions on top of each other, but not in the order. The Green and Blue Lions were on the bottom, the Red Lion was on top of them, the Black Lion was on top of the Red Lion, and the Yellow was on top of the Black Lion.
"Hunk, what are you doing?" Asked Shiro looking confused.
"What do you mean?" Asked Hunk in confusion.
"You're supposed to be the leg over there." Said Shiro correcting Hunk.
"What. . . No. . . No, no, no, I'm pretty sure that when we did it last time, I was the head. . . Right?" Said Hunk to Shiro. "I mean, Yellow told me that."
'Yeah, that's what I said.' Said Yellow with a mischievous grin, Black rolled his eyes as he throw Yellow off his back.
'Not funny Yellow, take this seriously, we need to try to form Voltron!' Said Black frowning at Yellow.
"Shiro, what did you do that for?" Asked Hunk frowning at Shiro.
"That wasn't me Hunk, Black throw you off, and honestly I agree with him, we need to take this seriously." Said Shiro frowning at Hunk.
"Besides Honey-Bee, you yelled, "I'm a leg!" Said Lana correcting Hunk.
"Yeah, I was yelling a lot of things." Said Hunk trying to change the situation.
"Shiro's the head." Said Keith correcting Hunk.
'Meaning that Black is also the head Yellow!' Said Red agreeing with Keith.
"All the time?" Asked Hunk frowning.
"Let's just try it my way for now." Said Shiro insisting to continue their idea.
"Okay, but next time I call head." Said Hunk calling out.
'Yeah!' Said Yellow agreeing with Hunk.
'Yellow!' Said Black scolding at Yellow.
'What, it's not fair that you always have to be the head.' Said Yellow getting up.
So the Paladins stack the Lions properly, as Shiro carefully hovering the Black Lion above the others until it stands on top of them.
"Okay, feel the bonds with your lions. Now, channel your energy into forming Voltron. . . Focus. . . Focus." Said Shiro as everyone tried focusing but nothing is happening. "Is everyone bonding and focusing?"
"Why was this so much easier before?" Asked Lana looking confused. "Blue, don't you and the others know how to form Voltron?"
'I'm afraid not, it has been 10,000 years since we've formed Voltron with our previous paladins, so we don't remember.' Said Blue explaining to Lana.
"Let's take a break." Said Shiro suggesting.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I may be able to help." Said Allura over the comm system. "Yesterday, you weren't able to form Voltron until you were in the heat of battle."
"Yeah." Said Pidge agreeing with Allura.
"I'm listening." Said Lana agreeing as well.
"You're right." Said Shiro agreeing.
"Yeah, I guess." Said Keith agreeing.
"Perfect, because I need to run a diagnostic test on all of the Castle's defenses, this should help!" Said Allura pressing a few buttons.
The Paladins all got confused as Allura pressed one final button on the castle's console, the team saw the particle barrier going on, and the Castle of Lions began firing blasts from its particle barrier, bombarding the Lions, and the Paladins all scream and flee.
"Allura, what are you doing?" Asked Keith driving red away from the lasers
'Oh, she is so lucky she's in the castle or I will actually bite her head off!' Growled Red trying to get away from the lasers.
"Running a diagnostic test on the Castle defenses and inspiring you, I believe in you, Paladins, let fear be your guide, form Voltron!" Said Allura from the castles comm system.
"How are we supposed to form Voltron and stop Zarkon if you blast us Allura?" Asked Lana trying to get away from the lasers.
'Yeah, I really don't want to get blasted!' Shouted Blue scrambling around.
"That's it, I'm outta here!" Shouts Hunk flying Yellow up to the castle.
'Yeah, I'm so outta here!' Said Yellow agreeing.
Hunk pilots the Yellow Lion towards the Castleship, dodging the attacks, but is thrown back by the particle barrier, as the others dodges the bombardment.
"Allura, stop this now, this isn't working at all, have mercy on us!" Shout Lana avoiding the lasers.
'Yes, we won't be able form Voltron if we get blown into pieces!' Shout Blue agreeing with Lana
"You think Zarkon is going to have mercy on you? He's probably on his way right now to destroy us all!" Said Allura over the castle comm system.
Then Allura presses a button on the Castleship's computer screen as the auto-lock-on engaged and walks away to help Coran, while the Paladins tried avoid the castles blasts.
Meanwhile back the Galra Empire's Central Command, the Galra Commander who captured Shiro and chased the Blue Lion kneels before Zarkon, who was sitting on his throne with Haggar standing beside him.
"You have returned early, did you complete your mission?" Asked Zarkon looking at his commander.
"Sir, the moon's crust became unstable, staying any longer would have cost half my crew." Said the Galra Commander explaining.
"Hmm, perhaps, but the half that survived would have been stronger." Said Zarkon causing the commander to look up. "Weakness is an infection, better to cut it off than let it spread."
Then Zarkon motion two sentries to take the Galra Commander out of the room, and so they grab him and taken him out of the throne room, and Zarkon turn to look at Haggar.
"What have you and your Druids come up with to capture Voltron?" Asked Zarkon looking at Haggar.
"I have been working on perfecting something, something that will strike fear into the hearts of any that stand against it, Voltron may have surprised Sendak, but he will not be able to overcome my creation." Said Haggar with an evil smirk.
Meanwhile back at Planet Arus, at the Castle of Lions, the Paladins and the Lions lay exhausted on the couches of the castle lounge, to take a break from avoiding the lasers, except for Shiro and Black.
Lana, Keith, Hunk, and Pidge were all sitting and laying on the couch while Blue, Red, Yellow, and Green were laying on the floor. Just then Allura and Coran came through one of the doors, chatting about the castle's diagnostics.
"Are we at full power on condenser number five yet?" Asked Allura looking at Coran.
"No, still just 84 percent." Said Coran looking at the scans.
"You did it, you formed Voltron!" Said Allura smiling at the paladins.
"No, the shooting stopped and the particle barrier shut down, so we just flew in." Said Keith coldly as he explained.
'Yeah, and she's lucky that I'm not biting her head off.' Said Red in a low soft growl.
"What?" Asked Allura annoyingly and looks at Coran.
"Oh, right. . . Uh, sorry, Princess, I had to turn off the Castle defenses to test the fire suppressors." Said Coran sheepishly and Shiro enter the lounge with Black beside him.
"What are you guys doing in here, we're not taking a break." Said Shiro looking at his team.
"Shiro's right, you should be training." Said Allura as she agree with Shiro.
"We've been training, when are we going back to Earth?" Asked Hunk looking exhausted.
"I'm not going back until I find my family." Said Pidge sitting up.
"Guys, there won't be an Earth if we don't figure out how to fight Zarkon." Said Shiro looking at his team.
"How are we going to fight? We can't even figure out how to form Voltron." Said Lana sitting up from the couch.
"Well, I'm not surprised." Said Coran looking at the paladins. "You know, the original paladins fought hundreds of battles together, side-by-side, they were like a pack of yalmors linked at the ears."
"Wow, yeah, that's definitely not us, and I'm pretty sure the last time we form Voltron was just luck." Said Lana laying back down at the couch.
'I'm not arguing that.' Said Blue laying on the ground.
"During the last attack, your survival instincts forced you to work as a team, but that will only get you so far." Said Coran looking at the Paladins. "You'll have to become a real team to have any chance of forming Voltron and then beating Zarkon next time, you should try working out on the training deck."
"There's a training deck?" Asked Hunk looking at Coran.
'Oh gee, you think he would've thought of that sooner than later.' Said Yellow rolling his eyes.
Meanwhile back at the Galra Empire's Central Command, Haggar walks down the hall, arriving at a door that is guarded by four druids. The door open as Haggar enters the cell that has a big alien chained around his neck, and was making a faint growl sound, and Haggar stops in front of the alien.
"I think I have the opportunity you've been waiting for." Said Haggar looking at the alien. "How would you like to get your revenge against the Champion?"
The alien takes a step close as a bright light reveals a bit of his face, his eyes glowed in a bright yellow, and he gained a twisted smile meaning that he has accept the offer.
Meanwhile back at the Castle of Lions, the five Paladins found themselves in the centre of the training deck. The lions, who are still in their physical forms, are all sitting and laying at another side of the room, watching their paladins train.
Coran was in the observation room a floor up, overlooking the training deck, giving him access to all the controls, and was using a mic and tried to test it to make sure that the Paladins hear him.
"Two, two, one, two." Said Coran through his microphone headset. "Okay, listen up, guys, the paladin code demands you put your team members' safety above your own, a swarm of drones is about to attack."
Then Altean drones have appeared and start circling around them, as they all activated their energy shield from their armor
"It's up to each of you to do everything you can to protect the other members of your team." Said Coran through his mic.
"Wait, wait, wait, what's going on?" Asked Hunk looking confused.
"Get ready." Said Shiro raising his shields.
Then the Altean drones began to fire lasers, Hunk dodges and Pidge is struck, dropping into a hole that opens up underfoot.
"Protect your teammates or no one will be there to protect you!" Said Coran through his mic.
As the Altean drones kept on shooting, Hunk is struck by them and drops into the floor. Shiro, Keith, and Lana huddle back-to-back to defend themselves.
"Time to increase intensity." Said Coran as the drones start shooting faster.
"You keeping up over there, Keith?" Asked Lana blocking the drones.
"Just concentrate on keeping me safe." Said Keith blocking the drones.
"Oh please, I know what I'm doing." Said Lana continuing to dodge the drones.
Then the drones fire at their heads. Shiro and Keith dodge, Lana was also able to dodge, but the drone shot Keith and he disappear into the floor. Lana tries to defend Shiro but got struck as well, so Shiro ends up struck. Both fall through the holes in the floor. Coran facepalms realize that they need more practice. Even the lions look a bit unimpressed about what they saw.
'Well, that was embarrassing to see.' Said Green shaking her head.
'Tell me about, I had to cover my eyes to not look.' Said Yellow with his paws covering his eyes.
'Ugh, this is getting ridiculous, we need to form Voltron and stop Zarkon.' Said Red frowning in frustration.
'Red, we can't form Voltron yet, our paladins have to work together as a team, and from the looks of it, they have a lot of work to do.' Said Blue witnessing the training.
'Blue is right, we need to be patient, they're new to this and need to understand how to work like a team, let's just hope the other exercises will work.' Said Black looking at the other lions.
'Ugh, this outta be good.' Said Red rolling his eyes.
After the drone training, it was time for the next test. Lana was back in the training room standing in the middle of a blue holographic maze, and Coran start to explain the next exercise.
"To form Voltron, you must trust in each other, this ancient paladin maze will teach you that trust, your teammate can see the walls, but you cannot. So, listen carefully, if you touch the walls, you'll get a slight shock." Said Coran explaining as the maze disappear and Lana put on her helmet.
"Wait, who's going to guide me through?" Asked Lana till she heard a familiar voice.
"Take two steps forward." Said Keith through the mic headset.
"Oh, no. Not Keith." Said Lana not liking how Keith is on the mic. "Why does he get to be the man on the mic?"
"Now, just sit tight. You'll get your turn." Said Coran through the mic.
"Okay, what was that again?" Asked Lana crossing her arms.
"Like I said, take two steps forward, turn right, and take three steps that direction." Said Keith explaining again.
Lana took a deep breath and began to walk to the right, but she hit the wall, causing an electric shock and she scream in a bit of pain as she step back from the wall.
"You did that on purpose!" Shouted Lana in anger.
"You're not listening." Said Keith frowning a bit.
"You said, "Turn right." Said Lana remembering what Keith said.
"But before that, I said, "Take two steps forward." Said Keith correcting Lana.
"Two steps. . ." Said Lana but steps in the wrong direction and gets shocked again. "Okay, we're switching places right now!"
'Geez, your Paladin could've at least listen to my Paladin.' Mumbled Red rolling his eyes.
'Well, in her defense, your Paladin didn't instruct it well.' Said Blue agreeing with Red. 'If he wants to impress Lana, he should try something else instead of acting all tough.'
'Wait, what does that even mean?' Asked Red looking confused.
'You'll know soon enough.' Said Blue smiling at Red.
After the holographic maze exercise, The team is flying their Lions through the sky for the next test. Clean speaks to them from the Castles Bridge.
"You'll never be able to form Voltron unless each of you has a strong bond with his lion." Said Coran through the mic headset.
"No problem, you don't have to worry about me and Blue." Said Lana smiling at Blue. "We understand each other."
'That's right, Lana.' Said Blue smiling back at Lana.
"Perfect, then you won't have any issues with this exercise, everyone, put your lions into a nosedive!" Said Coran and the paladins did a nosedive with their lions. "This is an expert-level drill that you really shouldn't attempt until you've been flying for years, but uh, we're in a bit of a rush, so here we go, activating training helmets!"
Then Coran activates dark visors appear over each Paladin's helmet, making them all shock and scared and Lana starts panicking.
"Coran, what's happening, I can't see!" Said Lana waving her hands in front of her face.
"You must learn to see through your lion's eyes, the goal is to pull up right before you crash into the ground, feel what the lion feels!" Said Coran in encouragement, but apparently it didn't seem to work as Hunk feels scared.
"Mine feels scared!" Shouted Hunk in fear.
'What, no I'm not!' Shout Yellow but Hunk pull up.
"You still going, Keith?" Said Lana towards Keith.
"You know it. You?" Said Keith towards Lana.
"Going? Me and Blue are speeding up!" Said Lana speeding up her's and Blue's dive.
"Oh, yeah?" Said Keith speeding up his and Red's dive.
'That's right, if Blue and her Paladin can do it, then do can we.' Said Red agreeing with Keith's decision.
"Must be getting close." Said Lana smirking a bit.
"Must be." Said Keith speeding up more.
'Guess you're not backing out on this, Red.' Said Blue smirking at Red.
'You know it, Blue, me and Keith are not backing out.' Said Red frowning at Blue.
"You scared?" Said Lance and Blue in unison with smirks on their faces.
"I'M NOT SCARED!" Said Keith and Red in unison.
Keith loses his temper and speeds Red ahead from the Blue Lion, which was a mistake, as Keith and Lana crash into the ground with their Lions half-buried, and the Blue Lion rolls away, as they groan in pain.
"Ow. . ." Said Keith groaning in pain.
'Okay. . . That hurt.' Said Red groaning in pain.
"We win." Said Lana and Blue in unison groaning in pain as well.
"What was that noise, did they crash?" Asked Pidge in a concern voice.
Apparently by the sound of the crash, it got Pidge to get nervous and pull up the Green Lion, but apparently they ended up hitting a canyon as Pidge pulled up from the nosedive. But Black Lion was still in its nosedive position, as Shiro took a deep breath, and close his eyes and focus on his lion.
'Yes Shiro, let go of your mind and connect our bond into one, use my eyes to see what I see.' Said Black to Shiro.
Suddenly, Shiro was able to ease his minds, and then see through his lions eyes to what he is seeing, and he both pull up their lions and we're flying in sync perfectly.
"I think I'm getting this." Said Shiro from his Lion.
"Excellent, Shiro." Said Coran as he praise.
Afterwards, they all fly to the ground near the castle, then as the five paladins exit out of their lions, the lions have return to their physical forms as they are out of the mechanical bodies, then they all stand at one side of the field, as the Paladins are on their lions back, and then Coran start to speak.
"Alright, in this Paladin training, when you are separated from your lions mechanical body, you need to be able to ride in your lions physical form, during a battle." Said Coran through the mic. "So for this training exercise, you need to ride you Lion around the castle and trust your lions when you ride them."
"Alright, we're ready." Said Shiro as he and Black are ready.
'Yes we are.' Said Black agreeing with Shiro and and a Altean drone was floating in front of them.
"Alright, in this exercise, while you run around the castle, you must be able to trust your lions and connect your bonds as one." Said Coran through the mic and the drone starts beeping. "And. . . Go!"
So the Lions all start running past the drone as the Paladins hang on to them, as they start running down the paths that go around the castle, some of the paladins were trying to get to the drone first before the others, while some of them were having fun.
"Man, this is really fun!" Said Lana smiling.
'Tell me about Lana.' Said Blue agreeing with Lana.
"Focus McClain, this is a training exercise, we are not having fun right now!" Said Keith looking at Lana.
'Keith is right Blue, we need to focus so we can form Voltron and defeat Zarkon!' Said Red agreeing at Keith.
"Hey, I'm just trying to have fun, Keith, it's not everyday we get to ride on lions!" Said Lana smiling at Blue.
"I'll admit, it is kinda fun." Said Pidge smiling at Green.
'Me too!' Said Green smiling at Pidge.
"I second that, it is kinda fun riding on a Lion!" Said Hunk agreeing about the exercise.
'Yeah, I never have this much in 10,000 years!' Said Yellow agreeing with Hunk.
"Alright, let's continue race around the castle!" Said Shiro looking at him team. "Even though this is kinda fun."
'I agree, let's focus on this training, though I really like it since I have been locked up in the castle for 10,000 years.' Said Black agreeing with Shiro.
So as they continued to ride their lions around the castle, the Green and Yellow Lions were having a hard time keeping up, while the Blue and Black Lions are doing good, but apparently the Red Lion seem to be the fastest as she was ahead of the other lions. Keith smirk as he was ahead, and Lana frown a bit as she rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, seriously, Keith always does this to me, even back before he was expelled from the Galaxy Garrison!" Said Lana mumbling a bit.
'Don't let it get you Lana, I guess Keith's mind is making him do things he didn't mean, although to be honest, I hated how Red always one-up me.' Said Blue frowning at Red, till she saw a river next to them and had an idea. 'Lana, I have an idea, lead us the river.'
"The river, why Blue?" Asked Lana looking confused.
'Trust me.' Said Blue encouraging Lana.
Lana didn't understand at first, but she remembered Coran explaining the point of the exercise is to trust their lions, so she took a deep breath and look at Blue.
"Alright Blue, I trust you." Said Lana smiling at Blue.
Blue smile back at Lana as she slow down a bit, causing the Black, Yellow, and Green Lions to past her, then Blue starts heading towards to the river and jump to the water, Lana close her eyes, thinking that they might jump into the water, but to her surprise, she heard the splash of water, but didn't feel any water on her, as she opens her eyes, she saw that Blue is running through the water as her paws were glowing from her magic.
"Woah." Said Lana in amazement.
'They don't call me the Lion of Water for nothing!' Said Blue smirking at Lana.
"Alright Blue, let's see how fast you can run through the water!" Said Lana smirking at Blue.
So Blue continues running through the water, and to Lana's surprise, Blue is faster when running through water. Meanwhile the other Paladins and lions were still running through dry land, Keith was still in the lead with the Red Lion, while the others are still behind him, but they never notice Lana and the Blue Lion beside them, till Pidge turn and saw them.
"What the. . . Lana?!" Shouted Pidge causing everyone to see them.
"Hey, how are you guys doing?" Asked Lana as Blue continues running through the water.
Then Blue saw a big rock in front of them, so she jumps over it causing to splash a bit of water. Keith and Red both saw how the sun and a bit of water droplets reflecting a beautiful rainbow light on both Lana and Blue. Lana's skin shine and her eyes sparkle through the light, while the light from the water reflect on Blue's fur, causing both Red and Keith to blush a bit.
'Woah, Lana is so beautiful.' Thought Keith blushing a bit.
'Wow, I never thought Blue is so beautiful, like a water goddess.' Thought Red blushing a bit.
'WHAT THE. . . WHY AM I THINKING ABOUT THIS?!' Thought Red and Keith loudly in their heads.
After Lana and Blue jump over the rock, they jump out of the river, and are now in front of the others as they came in first place, then they saw the Altean drone waiting at the exact same spot where the Paladins and Lions started, and Lana have finished first, while Keith was second, and the others came in last.
"Oh yeah, that was awesome!" Said Lana hugging Blue.
'Tell me about it, I haven't had this much fun in over 10,000 years!' Said Blue purring happily.
"Excellent job Lana!" Said Coran sounding proud.
"Great work Lana!" Said Shiro smiling at Lana.
'Yes, amazing job Blue!' Said Black smiling at Blue.
Hunk and Pidge were also impressed with Lana as the Green and Yellow lions were also amazed with Blue, while Red and Keith were just standing there looking at Blue and Lana, and they were both still blushing a bit about what they thought, but shook it off.
The Paladins and Lions all went back inside the castle, they were back at the training deck, as the Paladin's sat down in a circle at the center of the room, and Coran gave them special headsets they put on their heads, while the lions sat at the other side watching their Paladins.
"Now the most important part of paladin training is being able to meld your minds and focus on one thing: Voltron." Said Coran explaining through the mic. "Everything else has to fade away. This technique will be essential every time you form Voltron. So, relax and open your mind. No walls, no secrets between paladins."
Listening to what Coran is saying, a screen depicting the thoughts of the Paladins appears before each one. Keith thinks of his desert shack, Lana thinks of her family, Hunk thinks of food, Pidge thinks of the photograph Hunk found on Earth of "Pidge" and a girlfriend, but the image is obscured, and Shiro thinks of the Kerberos Mission launch.
"Come on, everyone, clear everything. Now, focus on forming your lion." Said Coran through the mic. "Bring your lions together and form Voltron, keep your minds open, work together."
The Paladins, except for Pidge, form their images into their respective Lions and move them to form Voltron. Apparently the Green Lion doesn't appeared, as Pidge's mental image remains static-filled.
"Good! Keep focusing! Only one to go!" Said Coran and Keith looks at Pidge.
"Pidge, stop thinking of your girlfriend!" Said Keith frowning at Pidge.
"I wasn't, Hunk was rooting around in my head!" Said Pidge frowning at Hunk.
"I thought we were open, you can look in my head hole." Said Hunk defensively.
"Everyone has to be able to look in everyone's head holes! Clear your minds!" Said Coran through the mic.
So the Paladins try again. This time, Pidge is able to manifest the Green Lion, and the mental Lions move together.
"Good! Almost there." Said Coran and mental Lions begin forming Voltron. "Now, form Voltron. Yes!"
The Green Lion attaches to the mental Voltron, and it was going good, till the Green Lion becomes the same static-filled image as before.
"Pidge!" Said Lana and Pidge starts to get frustrated.
"I'm done with this!" Said Pidge removing the headset and the image of Voltron disappear. "Look, I don't like everyone grubbing around in my head!"
"Oh, come on, Pidge, we're starting to get the hang of this." Said Shiro looking at Pidge.
"I'm just. . . I'm just tired, okay?" Said Pidge sitting back down.
"Okay, let's take a break." Said Shiro looking at the others.
Coran also realized that the Paladins are getting tired from all the hard work and exercise they've been doing, so he gave them each a water pouch with their own straws and they start drinking the water as they take a break.
"You have been working hard, maybe it's time to relax a little." Said Coran looking at the Paladins.
'I don't blame them, they've been working hard, and are getting tired after the exercise's they were doing.' Said Blue understanding the situation.
'Yeah, but I'm kinda concerned about your Paladin, Green.' Said Yellow looking at Pidge. 'He doesn't seem to want show his image with the others during that focus exercise.'
'I don't blame Pidge, the Galra have taken his father and brother, so I wouldn't blame him about being stressed and worried.' Said Green looking at Pidge with a sympathy look.
'Well, he knows that if he wants to rescue his family, they need to form Voltron.' Said Red looking at Green.
'We must be patient, they're working as hard as they can, but I know they will get it soon.' Said Black till Allura enter with the four mice on her shoulders and frowned seeing the Paladins not training.
'Uh oh, here comes Allura, she doesn't look too happy!' Said Yellow hiding behind Blue and Red.
"What are you doing lying around, you're supposed to be training!" Said Allura scolding at the paladins.
"Just resting a bit, you know, you can't push too hard." Said Coran looking at Allura.
"What do you mean, "can't push too hard?" Said Allura looking at the Paladins with a stern look. "Get up, you lazy lumps, it's time you faced the Gladiator!"
'THE WHAT?!' Shouted the Yellow, Green, and Blue Lions freaking out.
'Oh god, is Allura serious, I'm pretty sure that they aren't ready to faced the Gladiator!' Said Yellow panicking.
'You think, they were tired enough about the other exercise's, I'm pretty sure they aren't ready for that!' Said Green agreeing with Yellow.
'Black, Allura can't be serious about them fighting the Gladiator!' Said Blue looking at Black with a worry look.
'Judging by the look on her face, it seems she's serious.' Said Black looking at Allura.
'Oh, this ain't gonna be pretty.' Said Red feeling like this is going to end badly.
So the Paladins stand with their Bayards formed in the Training Deck. Lana has her blaster, Hunk has his energy cannon, Keith has his sword, and Pidge has his angular kata, while Shiro's robotic arm glow.
"In order to defeat the Gladiator, five paladins must fight as one." Said Coran through the mic and Hunk look around.
The Gladiator robot drops from the ceiling and Hunk began to panic. So he rapidly fires his cannon but can't lift it from the floor, causing the bullets to miss the robot and nearly hit Keith instead, who defends himself with his shield. Hunk got overtaken by the Gladiator and was knocked out with its staff. Then Pidge attempts to fight the Gladiator alone and is also taken out.
'Oh god, just tell me when it's over.' Said Yellow covering his eyes with his paws.
'I can't, I'm not looking either Yellow.' Said Green covering her eyes with her paws.
Lana fires her rifle at the robot, but Gladiator knocks Lana's Bayard aside and strikes Keith as he attempts to intervene, then swings Lana into Keith, causing the two to sprawled on the floor.
'Oh god, now that was embarrassing to see.' Said Red cringing a bit.
'Tell me about it.' Said Blue looking away a bit.
"Ugh, great." Said Keith getting up till his hand is on Lana's breast.
"AH, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE TOUCHING PERVERT!" Shouted Lana pushing Keith away from her and covering her chest. "Seriously Keith, that's the third time!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to!" Said Keith blushing really red.
'Well, your Paladin is a pervert and has a long way to impress my Paladin.' Said Blue looking at Red.
Shiro prepares to face the Gladiator alone. But when the Gladiator rushes forward, it triggers a memory in Shiro of Galra Sentries rushing him some time in the past. Shiro freezes, left defenseless by his own mind. As the Gladiator jumps above to deliver a powerful blow, Keith reappears to block the strike for Shiro.
"Shiro, are you okay?" Asked Keith looking at Shiro.
Shiro didn't respond and the Gladiator knocks Keith's Bayard out of his hand and send him flying into Shiro, knocking them to the floor. Suddenly the Gladiator spotted Lana, who grabbed her blaster from the floor, and starts charging at her.
Lana struggling to keep her stance steady, but she somehow slipped to the floor, and activated her blaster, which the blast hits directly at the Gladiator's head, creating a hole at the center and fall to the ground.
"OH NO, DID I KILL IT?!" Shouted Lana panicking and Allura approaches with a sour look.
"That combat simulator was set at a level fit for an Altean child! You're not even close to working as a team, let alone ready to face Zarkon!" Said Allura frowning at the Paladins. "The only reason you even won was because of Lana, even though she did it clumsy."
"Ugh. . ." Said Lana blushing in embarrassment, which Keith found it quite cute.
'That was painful to watch.' Said Yellow seeing how the fight went.
'But my Paladin actually won and defeated the Gladiator, course she was a bit clumsy, but it still counts.' Said Blue feeling proud for Lana.
'Why did Shiro stop, one minute he was ready to fight, and the next, he just froze there.' Said Red looking confused as he look at Shiro.
'Since Shiro has been locked up by the Galra, it's bound to leave some scars to him.' Said Black understanding Shiro's pain. 'I don't blame him, the Galra have capture prisons and tortured them in many ways.'
'These exercises are not helping them work as a team, this one is even worse.' Said Green groaning.
'Don't worry guys, I'm sure they'll work as a team.' Said Blue looking at the other lions. 'Let's have faith in them.'
After the whole Gladiator training disaster, the Paladins sit in the dining hall before a table of food goo and other strange food, and Coran stands nearby, while the five lions stand at the other side of the dining hall.
"Ahoy, young Paladins, I've whipped up a big batch of focusing food." Said Coran serving the food. "After this meal, you'll be forming Voltron six times a movement and twice on the astral conflux!"
"Smells great, Coran, thanks." Said Shiro smiling at Coran.
The lions began eating, but As they prepare to enjoy the meal after a long day, Coran suddenly pulls out a device that triggers the Paladins to each be handcuffed to another: Shiro with Hunk, Hunk with Lana, Lana with Keith, and Keith with Pidge. Shiro and Pidge are also secured to their chairs, shocking them along with the lions.
"Hold the phone!" Said Lana in shock.
"I saw a lot of solid individual performances today, but you're still struggling to work as a team." Said Coran looking at the Paladins. "So, welcome to the final bonding exercise of the day."
Hunk tries to free himself from Lana, while Lana tries to free herself from Shiro, but they couldn't be able to get free.
"Coran, I want you to think about what you're doing." Said Hunk looking at Coran with a serious look.
"This one's a classic, you get to feed each other, like a pack of yalmors!" Said Coran and the paladins all groan.
'Oh no, this can't go well.' Said Red and the other lions agree.
Meanwhile back at Zarkon's Main Galra Ship, Haggar was in her lair as she look up at the large motionless robot in front of her, that she and her druids have been working on to stop Voltron. Then Haggar look down to see the beast she talked earlier being inside a coffin as it was hooked up to the robot.
Then Haggar raised her hands towards the coffin, and send out her magic towards the beast, it give out a loud scream, but it was blocked by the thick metal. Then the coffin began to glow, along with the wires, and the energy and quintessence slowly feed into the giant robot. After a few seconds later, the robots eyes began to glow, the screams we face silent. Slowly, the robot lifted its head, and Haggar grinned evilly knowing that it went a success.
Meanwhile back at the Castle of Lions, Allura has joined the Paladins for dinner. The Paladins struggle to eat. Lana flings Hunk's food goo on accident.
"Ow!" Said Hunk looking at Lana with an annoyed look.
"Sorry, Honey-bee." Said Lana looking at Hunk, then Hunk tried to eat again, but Lana's fingers end up Hunk's nose and mouth. "Ew!"
Lana pulls away from Hunk's mouth, but she was pulled back over by Hunk, causing her to pull Keith's hand into Lana's plate of goo.
"Oh, nice. You defiled my food goo!" Said Lana glaring at Keith. "And you had to touch my breast again the third time!"
"It's your fault, and I told you it was an accident!" Said Keith looking annoyed. "This is ridiculous"
'Okay, this is the worst team exercise Coran made.' Said Blue looking at the scene.
'Tell me about it, he could just let them eat first.' Said Red agreeing with Blue and Allura growled in frustration.
"Do Earthlings ever stop complaining?" Asked Allura frowning at the Paladins.
"Can't you just give us a break, everyone's been working really hard today." Said Shiro trying to reason with Allura.
"Yeah! We're not some prisoners for you to toy with, like. . . Like. . ." Said Keith trying to figure out what to say.
"Like we're bunch of slaves!" Said Lana finishing Keith's sentence.
"Yes, thank you, Lana!" Said Keith looking at Lana.
'Woah, did Keith and Lana agree with each other?' Asked Red looking shock.
'Yeah, I think they did.' Said Blue looking shock as well.
"You do not yell at the Princess!" Said Coran rebuffing at Keith.
"Oh, the princess of what, we're the only ones out here and she's no princess of ours!" Said Pidge arguing with Coran.
Suddenly Pidge got hit by food goo on his face, which splatter over his glasses. Allura stood up over her seat, which Allura flings a spoonful of goo at Pidge, and Pidge and Keith glare at her.
"Go loose, Pidge!" Shout Keith grabbing Pidge's plate.
Then Keith flings a bowl full of goo at Allura, but Coran blocks the attack and tosses a huge scoop of goo all over the Paladins, and Hunk shaking the goo off him.
"Oh, it's on!" Said Hunk glaring at the Altean's.
Then Hunk let his face drop into his plate, getting a large mouthful before coming up for air and slamming his hands on his cheeks, spewing the food at Allura and Coran, causing the food goo splattered all over them.
Then Allura and Coran grab each a plate and running across the other side of the table, flinging it at the Paladins as they hit back at her and Coran. A big food fight started as everyone seem to laugh and enjoying it. Even the lions were enjoying seeing this as they all watch the food fight.
After a few minutes later, everyone was covered in food goo and their plates were all empty, and they all stopped to catch their breath, as Allura sit down at a chair. The Paladins glanced at each other and promptly burst into laughter.
"Enough. . . Don't you see what you're doing?" Asked Allura lifting her head and beamed at the group. "You're finally working together as one!"
"Hey, she's right!" Said Keith smiling at Lana.
"I actually don't hate you right now." Said Lana smiling at Keith.
'They actually did it, they're finally working l as a team!' Said Green in a excited tone.
'I can't believe this exercise actually works!' Said Yellow smiling.
'I guess all it takes a food fight to get them to work as a team.' Said Blue smiling at the Paladins.
'Even though they did waste some food, it was kinda fun to watch.' Said Red smirking at the scene.
'Come my pack, let's go to our mechanical bodies, I think they're ready to form Voltron.' Said Black as the lions head to their hangers.
"You guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Asked Hunk smiling at the others.
"Let's go form Voltron!" Said Shiro and they all agree.
"Yeah!" Said the others Paladins except for Hunk.
"Actually, I was thinking dessert. But, yeah! Let's do it!" Said Hunk smiling at his team.
However the Paladins were still handcuffed to each other, and they fell to the floor, Keith felt something on top of him and saw Lana on top of him, almost close to his face, and Lana look at him sheepishly.
"Oops, sorry Keith." Said Lana blushing a bit.
The slight blush on Lana's face highlights her face. Her smile was small, but energetic and cute, and Keith couldn't help but blush realizing that he thinks Lana is cute. Then Lana noticed Keith's face is a slight red.
"Are you okay?" Asked Lana raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Said Keith looking away from Lana.
Lana got confused and shrugged it off a bit, then Coran have figured out that they are still handcuffed to each other and so he took out his device and deactivated the cuffs connecting the Paladins.
The Paladins clean up and leave for their Lions. This time, Hunk is able to reach the Yellow Lion properly.
"Everyone ready to do this?" Asked Shiro taking the controls of the Black Lion.
'Lions, are you ready as well?' Asked Black feeling ready.
"Roger that!" Said Pidge taking the controls of the Green Lion.
'Affirmative!' Said Green feeling confident.
"It's on!" Said Lana taking the controls of the Blue Lion.
'I'm with you!' Said Blue smiling.
"Yes, sir!" Said Keith taking the controls of the Red Lion.
'Ready as I'll ever be!' Said Red smirking as well.
"I was born ready!" Said Hunk taking the controls of the Yellow Lion.
'Me too, let's do this!' Said Yellow feeling ready.
"Then let's form Voltron!" Said Shiro and Black together.
"Yeah!" Said everyone in confidence.
Then the Paladins take off with the lions, feeling the same sensations when they were fighting with Sendak. Then they are being pulled together as they slowly joining into one consciousness and from a blink of an eye, they have formed Voltron. The team cheered as they landed on the flat below the castle hill.
"I told you I could get them to do it, they just needed a common enemy." Said Allura smiling at them.
"It's true, like the old proverb says, "A man can be driven to do anything, if a beautiful woman is just really, really mean to him." Said Coran and Allura look unamused.
After succeeding forming Voltron, the team returned to the lounge, back in their civilian clothes, with the lions with them, as they recount their success.
"Man, that was cool!" Said Lana pumping her fist up in excitement. "I'm so charged up, I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight."
'Me neither, that felt so good!' Said Blue agreeing with her Paladin and Lana pets her head gently.
"Not me. When my head hits the pillow, I'm going to be lights out." Said Keith smirking at Lana.
'Me too, I'm exhausted.' Said Red yawning a bit.
"I just want you to know that I realized when we were in Voltron, we're brothers, man." Said Hunk hugging Keith and Lana close to him. "You know, like, we're totally connected, no secrets, no barriers, no nothing, brothers all the way, I love you guys."
"G-forces mess with your head a little bit?" Said Keith smiling at Hunk.
"Yeah, maybe a little. I don't know. It's been a tough few days." Said Hunk feeling tired.
'Yeah, it has been tough.' Said Yellow agreeing with Hunk.
"Aw, there, there Honey-Bee!" Said Lana patting Hunk's head and smile at her best friend.
Keith somehow began to blush really red at how close he is at Lana's face and the way she smiles makes his heart melt, Hunk let them go and Keith tried to shake the redness of his face, and hoping that no one notice it.
"Let's call it a night." Said Shiro smiling at his team.
'Yes, let's all get some sleep, we've got another day coming tomorrow.' Said Black agreeing with Shiro.
So the Paladins have start to head to their rooms, while the Lions went back to their hangers to get some sleep. Then Shiro notice that Pidge is still sitting on the couch.
"Going to bed, Pidge?" Asked Shiro looking at Pidge.
"In a minute." Said Pidge looking at Shiro.
"Good work today, we're really coming together." Said Shiro smiling at Pidge.
Shiro have left the room with Black, Pidge looks down and takes out looks at the photograph that appeared during the mental training. The Altean mice went to his shoulder and looks at Pidge, and the Green Lion lay her head on Pidge's lap. However, he didn't notice Lana and the Blue Lion stay for a bit, and goes to him.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" Asked Lana looking at Pidge and he nodded his head, as Lana sits next to him. "You missed your father and brother?"
"Yeah, ever since the Kerberos Mission, I don't believe that they are dead." Said Pidge looking sad. "And I promise myself that I will do anything to find them."
"Don't worry, I'm sure will find them and I know for a fact they'll be proud of you." Said Lana hugging Pidge.
Pidge smile at Lana as he hugs her back and he hope that he will find his family soon. But little did they know is that a storm is coming their way and they'll be ready to form Voltron.