After the Castle of Lions is freed from Sendak's control and restored to power, Lana has been sleeping within a Sleep Pod to recuperate after been out from the bomb explosion. Her team and the lions were all hovering around her pod hoping she'll be okay, except Coran who is at the Sleep Chamber console.
"I can't tell if she looks healthy... or not." Said Hunk observing Lana.
"I think she's breathing weird." Said Pidge pressing her face against the pod.
'Oh, I hope Lana will be okay.' Said Blue looking worried. 'It's been a day.'
'Don't worry Blue, she'll be okay, the healing pods will make sure she'll be recover quickly.' Said Black smiling at Blue.
'I hope so, after the bomb explosion, she was really badly injured.' Said Blue shuddering in fear.
'Well, at least we stop Sendak from taking the castle, and we got Lana in the healing pod just in time.' Said Red looking at Blue. 'I'm sure she'll be okay.'
"Oh, come on!" Said Keith as he tries tapping on the pod but Allura stops him.
"Not yet! A few more ticks." Said Allura looking at Keith.
"How much better do you think she's gonna get in a few more ticks?" Said Keith crossing his arms.
"And what exactly is a tick?" Asked Pidge looking confused.
"You know, a time-slice." Said Allura answering Pidge's question.
"What, like a second?" Asked Shiro trying to understand what Allura meant.
"What is a... "second"?" Asked Allura looking confused.
"Like this." Said Pidge taking out a clock counting seconds to show Allura.
"I'm not sure. I think ticks are bigger. Coran, do you have a ticker?" Asked Allura looking at the Altean Advisor.
"Right here, Princess." Said Coran taking out a ticker counting ticks to compare.
"I think ticks are a little slower." Said Hunk looking at the ticker.
"I can't tell." Said Pidge looking between her clock and the ticker. "We have to start them at the same time."
"Okay. Ready, go!" Said Coran as he Pidge start their timers together and everyone huddles around to watch.
'I can't believe they are doing this.' Said Green looking confused.
'I guess they just want to know which timer goes fast.' Said Yellow looking at the group.
'Hmm. . . Do you think the ticker is faster?' Asked Blue looking at the lions.
'I don't know, I think Pidge's clock is faster than the ticker.' Said Red looking at the group.
'I can't believe you are all enjoying this.' Said Black looking at his pride. 'Although I want to know what's faster.'
"Yes! I think we're winning." Said Hunk excitedly.
"Winning what? The intergalactic time-measuring competition?" Asked Keith looking at Hunk.
"Yes." Said Hunk looking back at the timers.
As they all were focusing on the "clock-off", what the team didn't know, Lana's Sleep pod began to open and she exits out and stumbles over to the group.
"What are you guys doing, what's with all the ticking?" Asked Lana drowsily and surprised everyone.
"Aw, Lana, you just. . . Wait . . . Lana!" Shouted Hunk hugging Lana.
"What happened?" Asked Lana looking at her friends.
"We can tell you all about it while you get something to eat. Are you able to walk?" Asked Allura looking at Lana.
Before Lana could respond to Allura, Blue was so happy Lana is awake, that she tackled Lana to the ground and lick Lana's face, causing Lana to laugh.
"Ha ha ha. . . Blue. . . Easy girl, I'm okay!" Said Lana laughing how Blue is licking her face.
"Blue has been worried for you Lana." Said Shiro smiling at Lana.
"Yeah she's been by your pod waiting for you to wake up." Said Pidge smiling at Lana.
Lana smile at her lion as she pets her head gently, and Blue rubs her cheek against Lana's cheek and purrs softly. So Blue help Lana get to her room so she could change into her clothes. After a few minutes later, Lana was finishing up putting her shoes on and was about to head to the dining room, where the others are waiting for her.
Just as Lana got up from her bed and grabs her jacket, something came out from the pocket and fall to the ground. Lana then picks up the object that fell from her jackets pocket, and it was a beautiful amulet consists of a blue oval jewel hanging from a silver startling chain.
The amulet belong to Lana's grandmother, Moana, who gave it to Lana on her eighth birthday, and she always wear it every single day and even goes to sleep with it. But when Lana got enrolled to the Galaxy Garrison, she starts wearing it less cause she doesn't want anything happen to it. Lana smile softly at the necklace as she caressed her thumb over the blue jewel gently.
'Wow Lana, that's a beautiful amulet you have.' Said Blue looking at the amulet.
"Thanks Blue, it's my grandmother's, she gave it to me on my eighth birthday." Said Lana smiling at the amulet. "She told me that it was a special family heirloom that was passed down from my family, and I was honored to have it."
'Wow Lana, you really love that amulet so much.' Said Blue smiling at Lana.
"After I got enrolled in the Galaxy Garrison, I wear it all the time so I could always feel like my family is always there for me." Said Lana smiling at the amulet. "And you know, now that we are in space, I should always wear it for now on, my family will always be in my heart, even if we're far away from each other."
So Lana began putting her amulet around her neck and place it inside her shirt, then she puts on her jacket on as she leaves her room with the Blue Lion to meet the others. Meanwhile at the Dining Hall of the Castle of Lions, the team explain everything to Lana while she eats food goo with the Altean Mice.
"You'd be Sendak's prisoner right now, if not for Pidge." Said Allura explaining to Lana. "And of course the other Lions."
"Well, you wouldn't have survived the explosion if Hunk and Coran hadn't gotten a new Crystal." Said Pidge smiling at Lana.
"Wow. Thank you, everybody. Sounds like the mice did more than you, though." Said Lana petting the Altean Mice and they enjoy it.
"I punched Sendak!" Said Keith frowning at Lana.
"Yes, apparently after I emerged from a coma and shot his arm off." Said Lana looking at Keith.
"We had a bonding moment, I cradled you in my arms!" Said Keith sounding a bit sad and his voice crack at the end, which Lana give him a pensive look.
"Yes, I would've remember that happened, if that bomb didn't really hit my head that hard, and I appreciate it if you don't touch me without permission." Said Lana causing Keith to look shock. "I really don't want a repeat of you touching my breast again."
"I said I was sorry!" Said Keith blushing really red while Hunk and Pidge snickered at his expression.
"So, what happened to Sendak?" Asked Lana looking at Allura.
"He's frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping him here in the Castle." Said Allura answering Lana's question.
"Wait, Sendak is still here. . . In the castle. . . Are you sure that's a good idea?" Asked Lana looking concerned and Blue growled in anger because of Sendak.
"I understand what he almost did to you Lana, but he's too dangerous to be set free." Said Allura making a valid point. "Besides, we might be able to get some information about Zarkon from him."
"So, what's the plan now?" Asked Lana looking at her team.
"We have to get back to the Balmera and save Shay and her people." Said Hunk making everyone look at him.
"My, you certainly have talking a liking to this lady." Said Lana with a small smile.
"No, it's not like that. Look, guys, when you see how Zarkon has treated these people and destroyed their home. . . They've been under his thumb for so long, they don't even know what it is to be free." Said Hunk explaining everything. "To be honest, at first I want to go back to earth to be with my family again, but what Zarkon is doing to the universe, I realize we just let these people suffer."
"Oh, sorry Honey-Bee." Said Lana feeling bad for everyone suffering from Zarkon.
"That's okay, the point is that it's up to us to set this right. This is what being a Paladin of Voltron is all about. It's time to man up." Said Hunk and Pidge frown at the last sentence.
"Then let's get moving. Time to go defend the universe." Said Shiro as the team begin to leave the Dining Hall, till Pidge stops them.
"Wait, I have something to say first. I need to come clean and. . . I'm afraid this may change the way you all think about me. Just so there are no secrets between us anymore, I can't "man up". . . I'm a girl." Said Pidge confessing to her team. "I mean, I can "man up" because that's just a figure of speech. I don't have to actually be a man to "man up." I just have to be tough. But what I'm saying. . ."
"Oh thank goodness, I was kinda afraid that you might leave the team." Said Lana hugging Pidge and the girl blushed a bit.
"Wait, you knew I was a girl?!" Asked Pidge looking at Lana with a surprise look.
"Yeah, I kinda knew you were a girl since you arrived at the Galaxy Garrison, I didn't want to say anything cause I don't want to be rude, plus you're way too round and cute to be a boy anyway." Said Lana smiling at Pidge and she blush.
"I've known for some time, but I'm glad you've shared it with everyone." Said Allura smiling at Pidge.
"Yeah, I figured." Said Hunk smiling at Pidge.
"Oh, yeah, me too." Said Keith smiling at Pidge.
"Wait, we were supposed to think you were a boy?" Asked Coran looking confused.
"Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better Paladin." Said Shiro smiling at Pidge and Pidge sighs in relief.
"It's good to get that off my chest. Now, let's launch this Castleship!" Said Pidge as the rest of the team leave.
"Right behind you, sister." Said Lana smiling at Pidge, causing the young girl to blush and smile softly.
So the Paladins and the Alteans have all gathered around the Main Bridge. Allura stepped on the platform as the new Battleship Crystal began to glow and the screen popped up. Then parts of the bridge floor opened and five chairs roses up, each with the Paladin's signature colors and they displayed holoscreens. Then two control pillars rose up and Allura place her hands on them.
"Activate interlock." Said Allura instructing Coran.
"Dynotherms connected." Said Coran as the castle fully charged.
"Mega-thrusters are go." Said Allura looking at the controls.
"We are ready to depart Planet Arus on your mark, Princess." Said Coran looking at Allura.
"Firing main engines for launch." Said Allura instructing Coran.
Then the Castle of Lions began to shake, then free itself from the mountain, revealing the fact it's a ship, launches to the sky, leaving Planet Arus atmosphere and the Arusians watch as the Castle ship go into the vast universe.
Meanwhile at Zarkon's Galra Central Command, Commander Prorok kneels before Zarkon on his throne, while Haggar is at Zarkon's side.
"Sire, if capturing Voltron is the Empire's number-one priority, then I suggest we begin moving the main fleet toward its last known location posthaste." Said Prorok suggesting to Zarkon and Haggar turns to Zarkon.
"Lord, after many years, the Komar Experiment is finally ready. Soon, we could have more Quintessence at our fingertips than ever imagined. We must test it before moving the fleet." Said Haggar and Prorok stands.
"We don't have time for any more of your magic. We must move our ships now." Said Prorok suggesting they should act now.
"Voltron is the most powerful weapon ever created. His puny ships will never be up to the task. We must be well prepared for our next encounter." Said Haggar and Zarkon slams his hands on his throne and Prorok immediately kneels again.
"I know better than anyone the power of Voltron. Haggar has my trust. We will perform her test." Said Zarkon suggesting Haggar's plan first.
Afterward, Prorok stood and saluted Zarkon before exiting the throne room. His Lieutenant, Thace, was standing at attention by the door, waiting patiently for his commander, and Prorok began to speak to Thace in the halls.
"The witch has his ear." Said Prorok sneering in frustration.
"What do you suggest we do?" Asked Thace looking at Prorok.
"Keep sending our offer out to any scum between Planet Arus and Balmera X-95-Vox. I'll capture Voltron on my own." Said Prorok instructing Thace.
"But sir, Emperor Zarkon made it clear that we must wait for Haggar to perform her experiment first." Said Thace reminding Commander Prorok.
"We don't have time to wait, Haggar will slow us down and Voltron will be more stronger if we don't act now!" Said Prorok giving Thace a serious look. "Do as your told Thace!"
"Vrepit Sa!" Said Thace as he leaves to do as he is told.
Meanwhile at the Castle of Lions, while the ship is flying to the direction for the Balmera, Hunk is pacing the Main Bridge as he tried to come up with a plan on how to save Balmera, while the Yellow Lion looks at his Paladin.
"Okay. So, when we get there, what do you think? Do we just roll up and like, start blasting? Or do we land and have some... kind of public address system, like, 'Attention, Galras. This is Voltron. Turn yourselves in!'" Said Hunk pausing for a second and looks around. "No. Blasting, right?"
"Hunk, calm down." Said Keith calming Hunk down. "And yes, blasting."
'Yeah Hunk, you're just as anxious as me.' Said Yellow looking at his Paladin. 'And I only get anxious when I get hungry.'
"Eh, it's our first big rescue mission. He's excited." Said Shiro smiling at Hunk.
"Excited to see his new girl-friend." Said Pudge smile teasingly at Hunk and he gasps in defense.
"She's not my girlfriend! She's just a rock that I met and I admire very much." Said Hunk trying to defend himself.
'I don't know, she sound like a girlfriend to me, and I know you like her, I can tell from our bond.' Said Yellow giving Hunk a sly smile. 'Hunk and Shay, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S. . ."
Suddenly Hunk grabbed the piece of meat, that Yellow was eating, and shoved it into his mouth, making him quiet. The Lions laugh at Yellow's misfortune, even the Paladins laugh at what Hunk did, and suddenly and unusual alarms start blaring.
"What is it? Are we being attacked?" Asked Shiro as he looks at Allura.
"No, it seems to be a distress beacon." Said Coran checking over the Castle's computer.
"It's coming from a nearby moon. Apparently, a ship has lost power." Said Allura informing the Paladins.
"I wonder who it is." Said Pidge looking curious.
"Whoever it is will have to wait. Shay has first priority. We can check back on them when we're done." Said Hunk crossing his arms.
"The Paladin Code states that we must help all those in need." Said Allura and Hunk pouts a bit.
"Hunk, Honey-Bee,I know Shay helped you, and as Voltron, we have to free Shay and the Balmera from the Galra, but like Allura said, we need to help everyone as we can, I promise will get to the Balmera as soon as we help the ones who call us." Said Lana smiling at her best friend and Hunk smile back at Lana. "How long will we get there, Coran?"
"Will be there in a few dobashes." Said Coran looking at Lana.
The Castle of Lions lands on the moon where two aliens and a robot are waiting around a fire. The first alien is a male with humanoid features, excluding his four fingers. He's tall with muscular arms, mauve skin, and purple spots. He has lank white hair and some pre-pubescent facial scruff. He has downturned eyes and a cartoonishly straight nose.
He wears his cropped blue vest open to expose his chest, has bandages wound around his waist, left arm and leg, tucks hessian fabric through his brown belt to form a sort of skirt, under which he wears tight, brown pants, and wears tall pirate boots, he also acessorises with a gold earring, thick, mechanic's wrist guards, and a floppy aviator's cap. The googles attop his cap have a bird-like nosepiece.
The second alien is a tall female with pointed ears, cream and yellow skin or fur, and blonde hair with two brown stripes at her forehead, has light purple irises with darker purple pupils and scalera, her lower arms are slightly larger than her upper arms and she has three fingers.
She wears a teal colored sleeveless top with light blue trim that shows her abdomen and matching loose pants with large darker blue pockets that end just under her knees, a wide brown belt, and dark blue shoes that cover her calves. Her hair is kept up in four ponytails with dark teal barrettes, and wears two sets of three metal bracelets around her left upper arm and one set around her right upper arm, she also wear pink lipstick.
The robot with them is a cyber-unit, as the Castle of Lions was about to land, Allura speaks over the intercom.
"Attention, damaged craft, this is Princess Allura. We are coming to assist you." Said Allura through the intercom.
"Whoa. Nice ship." Said the male alien impressed by the sight.
Meanwhile inside the Main Bridge of the Castle of Lions, Allura prepares to exit with the Paladins, and she looks back at Coran.
"Stay aboard and try to get as many of our systems clear of that Galra crystal energy as you can. We'll see who hailed us." Said Allura looking at Coran.
"Yes, Princess." Said Coran looking at Allura.
So Allura snd the Paladins have all descend to greet the stranded crew on the moon's surface.
"You don't know how glad we are to see some friendly faces." Said the male alien smiling at the Paladins and Princess. "Most folks don't want to get tangled up with anyone who's on the run from the Galra."
"So, you guys are fighting the Galra?" Asked Keith looking at the trio.
"Well, I don't think Zarkon is exactly quaking in his boots at the three of us, but we do what we can. I'm Rolo. This is Nyma, and our cyber-unit, Beezer." Said the male alien, known as Rolo, introducing himself and his crew.
"Hi." Said the female alien, known as Nyma and Pidge is amazed by Beezer.
"Cool robot!" Said Pidge checking Beezer in amazement.
"Hi, my name is Lana." Said Lana smiling at Nyma.
"Was your ship damaged in a fight?" Asked Shiro looking at the trio's ship.
"Yeah, we've really been through it with the Galra." Said Rolo explaining what happened. "Parts are hard to come by. Luckily, we were able to limp to this moon about a week ago. If you didn't pick up our distress signal, I didn't. . ."
"We're happy to help. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and from now on, you won't be alone fighting the Galra. You'll have the Paladins of Voltron by your side." Said Allura gesturing to the Paladins.
Rolo began to compare the seriousness in Shiro, Keith, and Hunk with Pidge, who is goofing off with Beezer, however he saw how Lana and Nyma are getting along and notice how Alana has a strong aura that seem to spread many positive energy around them, but of course he didn't understand their motive.
"Okay." Said Rolo not sounding impress.
"I don't think they've heard of us." Said Shiro to Keith.
"It has been ten thousand years." Said Keith looking at Shiro.
"Voltron is a giant robot that is made up of five other ships." Said Lana explaining what Voltron is.
"Sounds impressive. I'd love to see it. Or him. Them." Said Rolo still not understanding.
"Why don't we just get to work on your ship? I'm sure we all have places to be." Said Hunk trying to hurry things up.
"Sure." Said Rolo opening his spacecraft. "Pretty much our whole flaxum assembly is shot. I don't know what kind of extra parts you carry in this rig of yours. I've never seen anything quite like it."
"I'm sure we can get you back up and running. Give Hunk a list of what you need. Coran can show you where to find it." Said Allura gesturing at Hunk.
"Okay." Said Hunk about to head into the castle.
"We'll go with you. Don't want you to have to carry all that yourself. Come on, guys." Said Rolo as he tries walking towards the Castle of Lions, but Hunk stops him.
"Uh, I don't think so. You can just wait out here." Said Hunk looking serious.
"Hunk, don't be rude." Said Allura light scolding at Hunk.
"Yeah Honey-Bee, you need to mind your manners." Said Lance agreeing with Allura.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, but does anyone remember the last time we let our defenses down? Someone kind of set off a bomb. Remember, Lana? You were almost killed." Said Hunk reminding them what happened with the bomb incident.
"Oh, yeah. . . I forgot." Said Lana shuddering in fear.
"Hunk's right. Sorry, but we have to be cautious." Said Shiro stepping forward to Hunk.
"Hey, I don't take it personal. That's how it is out here. You've got to look out for your own. You're doing a good job, big man." Said Rolo handing Hunk a list of parts from Beezer.
"Yeah. Thanks." Said Hunk as he went to get parts.
While Hunk is getting the parts for Rolo and his crews ship, Rolo sits with Allura, Shiro, and Keith around the fire, while Pidge is distracted by Beezer, and Lana is with Nyma.
"My planet was destroyed by the Galra and I was taken captive. I managed to escape, but not before I lost something." Said Rolo showing his prosthetic left leg.
"I know exactly how that feels." Said Shiro lifting his prosthetic arm.
"Well, I hope there are some parts in here that'll fit." Said Hunk dragging a hovercart full of parts over, but Rolo didn't respond. "You know, to get your ship moving?"
"Great! Thanks." Said Rolo smiling at Hunk.
"So, what can you tell us about Zarkon's forces? Where are they concentrated?" Asked Allura as Pidge rides with Beezer passing the Altean Princess.
"Well, his Command Ship sits right in the center of the Empire. He mostly calls the shots from there and has his minions do the work, depending on who's closest. This is the territory of a real nasty bugger named Sendak." Said Rolo as he explains.
"Oh, we've met." Said Keith remembering the Galra Commander.
"How far are we from the center?" Asked Shiro to Rolo.
"We're way out on the fringes." Said Rolo and Hunk walks over.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I think you guys are kind of keeping Rolo from working. It's just that we're in a hurry. A hero named Shay saved my life, and I swore I would return to do the same for her and her people. You understand." Said Hunk worrying for Shay.
"Sure. Sorry." Said Rolo placing a hand on Hunk's shoulder and walks over to the hovercart to inspect the parts.
"Hunk, we're going to get going soon, but I think Rolo might have some information that could be helpful to us." Whisper Shiro to Hunk understanding his concerns.
"Not for nothin' but I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him." Said Hunk looking suspicious to Rolo. "I think we ought to leave him with the box parts and just say, 'Adiós, amigo. . .'"
"Hey, bud! Sorry, but do you think you could hunt down a length of thermal pipe about yay long?" Said Rolo gesturing the length.
"On the way." Said Hunk groaning and leaves to find the right length, as Shiro, Keith, and Allura approach Rolo.
"So, are there more freedom fighters? Any kind of organized resistance to the Galra?" Asked Shiro looking at Rolo.
"Only folks who haven't been colonized yet, or the lucky few, like us, who managed to escape somehow." Said Rolo explaining.
"Well, we're going to change all that." Said Keith looking determined.
"That's good to hear, but I've got to warn you, it's pretty bad out there. You don't know what you're up against." Said Rolo informing the Paladins.
Meanwhile at the other side of the campsite, Lance is talking to Nyma away from the rest of the team, and explains to her about Voltron.
"I don't understand. The Lions are ships? Are they, like, flying statues that you ride on?" Asked Nyma looking confused.
"Not exactly, they're like a mix of magic and science, it's kinda like alchemy." Said Lana explaining everything about the Voltron Lions. "They fly fast and have all these incredible weapons. And while they look like machines, they are actually living beings, actual lions that are magical with their own elements."
"Wow, that sounds so amazing. I would love a tour in the castle. But I guess the big yellow one is in charge, and you have to obey his orders?" Asked Nyma looking at Hunk.
"Oh Hunk, he's my best friend, but he's not exactly the leader of them team, even though he did try to call for the head of Voltron." Said Lana smiling at Nyma. "And you know, maybe a quick tour will be nice."
So Lana brings Nyma inside the Castle of Lions to the Main Bridge, and she was so amazed of the castle.
"This place is incredible!" Said Nyma in amazement.
"Yes it is, it's one of the few reminders of Allura and Coran's home planet before the Galra destroy it, you get used to it." Said Lana smiling at Nyma.
"But it's so gigantic. It must take you forever to get to your Lion." Said Nyma looking shock.
"Not exactly, I'll show you." Said Lana smiling and brings Nyma with her down the zip-line to the Blue Lion's cockpit. "Pretty cool, right?"
"Unbelievable!" Said Nyma in excitement. "Take me on a ride around the moon?"
"Uh, I don't know, we should probably get back to the others, but I guess one flight around the moon won't hurt." Said Lana smiling at Nyma. "What do you say Blue, you wanna go for a flight?"
'Well, I guess one little flight won't be bad.' Said Blue through Lana's mind.
"Are you talking to the Lion?" Asked Nyma looking confused.
"Yeah, you see, when we were bonded to our lions, we have a special telepathy with them, so we could understand them." Said Lana and Nyma was amazed. "Let's go, girl!"
Then Lana activates the Blue Lion and takes off with Nyma, but the two didn't know that Rover, Pidge's drone, is in the Blue Lion with them, feeling suspicious about Nyma. Meanwhile, Hunk is working on Rolo's ship, but witnesses the Blue Lion leave.
"Oh, Lana!" Said Hunk worrying for his best friend.
"Ah, let them have their fun. Thanks to you, this thing is just about ready, so we're going to be on our way soon. Too many light years on that guy, I guess." Said Rolo smiling at Hunk.
"Yeah." Said Hunk suspiciously eyes the part he replaced.
Meanwhile at Zarkon's Command Center, the ship hovers above a planet, as Haggar stands on a floating platform in the ship in the center of her four Druids.
"Begin the ritual." Said Haggar as the Druids perform their ritual. "Druids of the Four Directions, join us!"
Then Haggar start summoning purple lighting, gathering their energy before casting it down to the planet below. The pure energy hit the planet like a lightning strike, then pure quintessence was slowly pulled up around it, circling like a tornado, sparkling mist in every colour possible, shimmering as it was drawn up to the ship. It was stored in a tube in the Command Ship, then Haggar approach to Zarkon.
"The Komar Experiment was a success. We have gained an entire planet's Quintessence, a feat that would have normally taken us years." Said Haggar looking at her emperor.
"Most impressive. This will revolutionize the way we advance throughout the galaxy. Mining and colonizing planets is a thing of the past. With this much power available at our whim, we can now spend all of our time hunting down and capturing Voltron." Said Zarkon in a evil tone.
Meanwhile with Lana and Nyma, Lana is flying the Blue Lion around the moon.
"Look, a kinetic spring!" Said Nyma pointing to the spring. "Let's land over there. The minerals reflect off the water, making a rainbow."
So Lana flies the Blue Lion over the kinetic spring, causing water to spray and a rainbow to appear.
"Wow, that's so beautiful." Said Lana smiling at the rainbow and lands the Blue Lion to the ground. "So what else can you tell me?"
"Well, let's just say that for this next trick, I want to say I'm sorry for this, but in harsh time we have to do what we need to do to survive." Said Nyma looking a bit guilty.
Lana was a bit confused at what Nyma meant, till she pressed her fingers to Lana's neck and she fell on the control panels and passed out. Nyma felt guilty, but knows she had to do what needs to be done, then she presses a button on her bracelet to signal Rolo. Meanwhile with the other Paladins, Rolo suddenly exits the engine of his ship, as he receive Nyma's signal.
"I think this thing is just about ready for a test flight. Beezer, come co-pilot for me. Be back in a tick." Said Rolo as he and Beezer enter their ship, leaving the Voltron team dumbfounded outside.
"Uh. . ." Said Hunk in confusion.
Rolo's spacecraft takes flight with no issues at all. Elsewhere, where Lana and Nyma are, Nyma tied Lana up, making sure she won't escape, as she stand at the kinetic spring by a tree. What she didn't know that Rover was hovering back to where the Paladins are, to warn them what's happening.
Then after a few minutes later, Rolo have arrived and Nyma grabbed Lana, as she's raised into her ship and it takes off, with Lana and the Blue Lion. Meanwhile with the rest of the team is waiting outside the Castle of Lions.
"How many ticks have they been gone?" Asked Pidge looking at Allura.
"I don't know, I hope they didn't break down again." Said Allura looking worried.
"Something ain't right." Said Hunk suspiciously and then Rover have arrived to the team.
"Rover!" Said Pidge going to her drone. "What's wrong?"
Then Rover began to beep at Pidge, telling her what happened, then Pidge pull her computer from her suit to understand what Rover's saying.
"Pidge, what's going on?" Asked Shiro looking at Pidge.
"Rover says that Nyma has knocked Lana unconscious." Said Pidge explaining what Rover told her.
"I knew it!" Said Hunk knowing his suspicions.
"And Nyma and Rolo just stole the Blue Lion and Lana." Said Pidge in shock.
"WHAT?!" Shouted Keith in shock.
"I knew it!" Said Hunk frowning that he was right all along.
"Where are they?" Asked Shiro looking at Pidge.
"Rover says that they're in space!" Said Pidge in shock.
"Lana!" Said Keith worrying for Lana.
"Uh, I never trusted those guys, right from the beginning!" Said Hunk as he began ranting at length as the Paladins head to their Lions. "I mean, y'know, at first, it was just like a feeling in my gut, you know? But when I was replacing that thermal pipe, the pipe was cracked, but none of the hardware around it was damaged."
"Okay, we get it!" Said Keith getting annoyed.
"I mean, if the thermal pipe is cracked, then, obviously, hello, the entire assembly should be totally roasted." Said Hunk continued ranting.
'Okay! We get it, can someone shut him up?!' Said Red growling in frustration.
"We should've had to replace the entire undercarriage of that reactor. So, right then, I was, like, positive. Foul play." Said Hunk as he boarded Yellow.
'OKAY, WE GET IT!' Shouted everyone as they are all annoyed by Hunk's ranting and they all chase after Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer.
Meanwhile at the trio's ship, Lana was waking up after being knocked out and realized that he and Blue have been captured, he tried to move but saw he was restrained with ropes tied to his wrists and ankles.
'Ugh, what happened?' Thought Lana and realized what had happened. 'Nyma knocked me out! Wait. . . Where's Blue?'
'Lana?' Said Blue through Lana's mind.
'Blue, are you okay?' Said Lana talking to Blue through his mind.
'I'm fine, but what happened, where are we?' Asked Blue sounding confused and worried.
'If I had to guess, Nyma must've knocked me out and kidnapped both of us, and now we're in their ship.' Said Lana looking around.
'But why did they kidnap us?' Asked Blue in confusion.
'I don't know.' Said Lana as she turn to see Rolo contacting Prorok through a video transmission, while Nyma and Beezer are standing both his sides.
"Commander Prorok, my name is Rolo. I understand you're offering a reward to anyone helping capture the Voltron Lions." Said Rolo to the Galra Commander.
"That's correct. Do you know where they are?" Asked Prorok through the video transmission.
"I know where the blue one is. It's in my ship, we also have the Blue Paladin." Said Rolo showing Lana to Prorok.
"Excellent. Bring it to me and you'll have your reward immediately." Said Prorok smirking evilly.
"Just a tick. You see, my friends and I have a bit of a checkered past. Some stolen merchandise from the Galra Empire may have fallen into our possession without us knowing about it." Said Rolo making Lana realize why they're doing this.
"Well, I'm sure that a full pardon can be arranged for the brave souls who bring Emperor Zarkon a Voltron Lion. Is that all?" Said Prorok through the video transmission.
"We'll take the reward, too." Said Nyma frowning at Prorok.
"Of course." Said Prorok to Nyma.
"All right. We're on our way." Said Rolo as the video transmission ends and he stretches. "I almost feel sorry for those Voltron folks. Seemed like a nice bunch."
"If you're feeling guilty, you can turn yourself in. Stealing from Zarkon carries a life sentence." Said Nyma returning to her seat.
"They don't seem. . . That nice." Said Rolo nervously and looks at Lana to see he's awake. "I see that our visitor is awake.
"Rolo, Nyma, why are you doing this?" Asked Lana looking at the trio.
"Lana, you have to understand, when the Galra destroy our home and killed our families, we were left abandoned and fed for ourselves, in times like these you have to do to survive in these desperate times." Said Nyma looking serious.
"But Voltron can defeat the Galra Empire, you don't have to do this!" Said Lana trying to reason with the trio. "You don't have to do this."
"But we have no other choice, with our rations getting low and supplies are almost done, we need to do anything to get through this tough time." Said Rolo looking upset.
"But Rolo, Nyma, the Galra are not going to give you the reward, do you really think they'll be true to their words?" Said Lana trying to reason with them.
Rolo and Nyma both look down for a bit as they realize that Lana is right, but they had to do anything to survive. Lana can sense that Rolo and Nyma are scared, even Beezer as well, and really want to help them, but she also hope that the others will rescue him and Blue.
Meanwhile in Commander Prorok's Galra Warship, Prorok is standing in the Main Bridge of his warship and turns to Thace.
"Send the nearest fighter squadron to the area of the transmission. I'm not trusting some bounty hunter with our prize." Said Prorok showing that Lance is right.
"Yes, Commander." Said Thace as he goes to do as he is told.
Meanwhile at an asteroid field, Rolo's alarms start blaring, then Rolo pulled up the holoscreen to reveal the remaining Lions are closing in.
"The others." Said Lana smiling that her friends are coming.
"No way." Said Rolo as he starts flying his spacecraft to safety.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing? There's no way we can outrun those Lions." Said Nyma looking at Rolo.
"Yeah, look no offense Rolo, but you don't know what one of my friends are capable of." Said Lana trying to reason with Rolo. "You can't escape them."
"Not in the open. Good thing the Zorlar asteroid belt is right up here. I know that like the back of my hand." Said Rolo as the criminal aliens fly into the asteroid belt.
"We'll never get through this asteroid field!" Said Pidge looking at the asteroid field.
'How are we going to get Blue and her Paladin back?' Asked Green looking worried.
"Maybe I can just bust through!" Said Hunk coming up with the idea.
'Yeah, good idea Hunk, let's try it.' Said Yellow agreeing with Hunk.
Then Hunk began slamming the Yellow Lion into an asteroid, causing all the asteroids to bump against each other.
"Nope. That was wrong. That was a bad idea." Said Hunk realizing it didn't go as he plan.
'Yeah we probably shouldn't have done that.' Said Yellow agreeing with Hunk.
"Keith, you're the only one who could possibly fly through this. We need you, buddy. Get in there and flush him out." Said Shiro instructing Keith.
'And Red, you are the fastest lion in our pride, and you can fly through these asteroids.' Said Black instructing Red.
"You got it. See you on the other side." Said Keith following Shiro's orders.
'Roger that, Black.' Said Red following Black's orders.
Then Keith began to pursue Rolo and Nyma with the Red Lion, as they were navigating the asteroid field easily. Rolo's computer began showing the Red Lion is nearby.
"No way. Get on the blasters. Take him down!" Said Rolo instructing Nyma and Beezer.
"Copy." Said Nyma as she and Beezer follow Rolo's orders.
'Oh boy, they don't what Keith is capable for.' Said Lana looking worried.
'Yeah, and they don't know Red like I do.' Said Blue sounding worried as well.
Then Nyma and Beezer began firing the ship's laser blasters at the Red Lion. Keith was able to dodge the attacks in ease and fires his Lion's mouth cannon in retaliation.
"This kid can flat-out fly." Said Rolo smirking at Keith's flying.
"He's gaining on you!" Said Nyma warning Rolo.
So Rolo tries tricking Keith into crashing into an asteroid, however Keith was able to avoid the trick and flings the Red Lion's jaw blade at Rolo's spacecraft, and the attack disables the ship's weapons, but it almost didn't hit the Blue Lion.
'BLUE. . . Are you alright?' Said Lana panicking through Blue's mind.
'I'm fine, although I'm going give Red a piece of my mind!' Said Blue growling a bit.
"Blasters are offline!" Said Nyma warning Rolo.
"We've got to get out of here!" Said Rolo understanding the situation.
So Rolo tries to flee as fast as he could, however Keith fires the Red Lion's mouth cannon at their engines. The criminal's ship is knocked out of the asteroid belt and they lost control. Keith catches them with the Red Lion as they grab their ship to slow them, and the other Lions arrive.
"Yeah! Hey, Lana, are you okay?" Said Keith talking with Lana through their helmets' communicators.
"Yeah, me and Blue are okay, thank you, Keith. But did you really have to shoot the ship?" Said Lana frowning a bit. "You know me and Blue are in here, you and Red almost destroyed her, and I think you put the ship out of order.
"Oh yeah. . . Sorry." Said Keith blushing a bit.
'Oops, you okay Blue?' Asked Red talking with the Blue.
'Oh yeah, I'm fine, although Red, you're lucky you actually save me and Lance, otherwise you would've get it.' Said Blue growling at Red.
'We're glad you're okay Blue.' Said Yellow happy that Blue is okay.
'Yeah, now let's handle these trio.' Said Green helping Red with the trio's ship.
After the team rescues Lana and Blue, they return Rolo and his crew to the alien moon with their now broken ship. They stand outside the Castle of Lions.
"Since your ship really doesn't work now." Said Lana looking at Keith, who looked a bit sheepish. "You'll have to wait here for a rescue."
"Thanks. . . For sparing our lives." Said Rolo appreciating the Paladins.
"Now that these guys are dealt with, let's get to the Balmera and save Shay and her family." Said Hunk looking at the others.
"You may not believe this, but I hope you do stop Zarkon." Said Rolo looking hopeful to the Paladins. "It's a lifetime of fighting the Galra that led me to where I am today."
The team looks considerate to Rolo and his crew, but they didn't respond and leaves, as they all enter the castle. As the Castle of Lions heads to the Balmera, Lana is in the Castle Lounge sitting on the couch, while Blue lays next to her looking at jet with a worried look.
Lana was still thinking how Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer kidnapped her and Blue, but in a way, it wasn't their fault and he couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Then Keith walk in the room with Red by his side.
"Hey Lana, there you are." Said Keith going to Lance.
"Hey Keith." Said Lana still looking upset.
"You okay?" Asked Keith sitting next to Lana.
"To be honest, I'm still thinking about Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for them." Said Lana leaning her face on her hands.
"Why Lana, they kidnap you and Blue, and almost give you two to the Galra." Said Keith stating the point of view.
"I know, but in a way, it wasn't their fault, the Galra have ruled the universe for ten thousands years, and they are trying to do what they can to survive these cruel times now." Said Lana looking at Blue and pet her head.
"Yeah I guess that's true." Said Keith understanding what Lana meant.
"Zarkon is a horrible person and he's making people do things they have no choice to do and have to do what they can to survive." Said Lana frowning at the mention of Zarkon. "This is why we are the universe's only hope to stop him."
"And we will stop him and free the universe from the Galra Empire." Said Keith looking determined.
"Well, I better get to bed." Said Lana as she got up. "We gotta be ready to free the Balmera from the Galra."
"Yeah, you got a point." Said Keith as he got up as well and Lana punched him by the arm. "Ow, what was that for?!"
"For almost blowing Blue up when we were in the ship." Said Lana frowning at Keith.
Keith was about to retort back till he realized that Lana has a point, since he and Red did almost blow them up without thinking, then Lana slowly moved towards Keith and moved in to kiss him on the cheek.
"That's for rescuing us." Said Lana smiling at Keith and turns to leave with Blue. "And thank you for carrying to the Medical Bay."
As Lana left the room with the Blue Lion, Keith stood there with his eyes widen and place his hand on his cheek where Lana kissed him, and blush a bit. Red walked up to Keith's side and gave a light purr while looking at her with big eyes.
"What are you looking at?" Asked Keith stuttering a bit.
'You like her.' Said Red in a teasing voice as he cocked his eye.
"Oh shut up!" Said Keith until a realization came up to him. "Wait a minute, she remembered our bonding moment?!"
Elsewhere in the Galra Empire, Haggar is somewhere inside her lair, she was speaking to a small reptilian creature while holding a canister of Quintessence, she have collected from the planet with the Komar Experiment.
"All this Quintessence will turn you into the strongest, most horrifying fighter ever created. One that even Voltron will not be able to defeat." Said Haggar evilly as she starts her experiment.