03x01 - Changing of the Guard

[bunniefuu]

[engine rumbling]

[beeping]

[sighs]

[screams]

Shiro?

[Keith] He's gone.

-There's nothin' out here, Coran.
-I'm sorry, Keith.

[Keith] I'm comin' home.

[sniffing]

I'm worried it smells a bit musty.

It's been a while
since I've had to look presentable.

The Cubserions
just declared independence

after a thousand years of oppression,
so they probably won't notice.

Then why am I getting all puffed up
like a Trufalian meringue?

This is going to be
a serious diplomatic meeting.

Remember, Princess,


Then 29 percent is manners,
decorum, formalities and chit-chat.

It's really only one percent...

Serious business about fighting
for the freedom of the universe?

Yes. That.
Oh, and I forgot hors d'oeuvres.

Oh, that's at least two percent.
So I'll have to recalculate my...

We just freed these planets.

Do you really think they're ready
to come together to fight the Galra?

I don't think it's a question
of wanting to fight back,

but of believing that it's possible.
It's up to you to give them that faith.

It should be Voltron.

We can't always put the fate
of the universe

in the hands of a giant weapon.

At least,
that's what your father believed.

About 30 ticks to the drop zone.
You ready, Kolivan?

Affirmative.

[laser blasts]

[Lance] Hold on, evasive action underway!

Lance, I think we just passed
the drop zone.

We're under heavy fire.
There's no way we can stop here.

-[Lance] Kolivan, any ideas?
-[Kolivan] Open the hatch.

We'll take it from here.

Go! Go! Go!

[whirring]

Think you're pretty good, huh?
Can you handle this?

Didn't think so. Huh?

Hunk, you got a fighter right on your six!

Yeah, and I'm about to teach this sentry
a lesson about tailgating.

-[Kolivan] Paladins! Can you hear me?
-We hear you, what's up?

We're pinned down by heavy a*tillery.
We need air support.

[blasting]

[Lance] I see it. I'll take it out.

-[whirs]
-[Lance] Uh-oh!

-I can't get a safe angle of attack.
-Maybe not from the front.

[crashing]

It appears the Galra forces
are evacuating.

[Hunk] Yeah, and stay out!

Let's set 'em down over there
and get ready for the parade.

-[clicking]
-[girls cooing]

Now this is the kind of world-saving
that a Paladin could get used to.

Whoo! You got that right.

Oh, methinks I'll try this one
with all the legs.

-[growls]
-Nope. Still alive.

[clicking]

[Lance chuckles] Whoo! Yeah.

[crowd] Oh!

Ah!

[all murmuring]

Hmm...

You know, based on our recent battles,

it seems like the Galra Empire
is kinda just falling apart.

It's more than that. Look.

-Whoa!
-[clicks]

[Kolivan]
Word of Voltron's triumph is spreading.

Yeah, I guess the only problem is that
we can't form Voltron anymore.

That cannot stand.

The universe needs Voltron.

[man] Lions of Voltron,

the people of Puig thank you
for delivering us

from the evil hands of the Galra Empire.

Don't forget the Blade of Marmora.

We couldn't have done it
without Kolivan and his team.

It was our honor.

Yes.

I want to pledge to you
that every able-bodied Puigian

will join Voltron
in the fight against the Galra.

Speaking of Voltron, where is it?

[crowd shouting] Voltron! Voltron!

Voltron! Voltron!

[chanting]
Voltron! Voltron! Voltron!

-I think this might be a problem.
-[crowd chanting] Voltron! Voltron!

[faint whirring]

Oh, number five, you're back!
How was your mission?

I talked to some members
of the desert tribes on Planet Kythra

who have these same
large feathered ears.

They're not friendly to Zarkon,

but they couldn't help identify the person
in the footage.

So, that's a dead-end.

Now, these flappy,
loosey, pant-thingies...

Are skort pantaloons. Very breathable.

Right. They're traditionally worn
by the Tando people.

Yes, in the Valurian quadrant.

Right.
That's on the other side of the galaxy.

And what's this mask thing
that they all have on their faces?

[Coran] Hmm. No idea.

But it appears to be the perfect blend
of fashion and function.

Okay. So my brother was either taken
by intergalactic fashion pirates, or...

maybe the outer reaches of these galaxies
are occupied by freedom fighters

that are starting to work together
against the Galra Empire.

You know, I don't mind telling you this,

but I was considered a bit of
an intergalactic fashion pirate in my day.

I used to have a bogwaggle-cape
that I trained to sing my theme song

whenever I entered a room.
[chuckles]

Maybe this will help.

While I was gone
I had the system analyze

the sound of the expl*si*n
from the prison break.

-[whirs]
-[expl*si*n audio plays]

[beeping]

[Pidge] Huh.

Nanothermite titanium-boron.
Hey, maybe we can track that.

Good idea. While you do that,
I'm gonna check in with Lance and Hunk

and see how things went on Planet Puig.

[beeps]

Don't worry, Matt. I'll find you.

[Hunk] They haven't figured out
their flatbread situation,

but what they do with those centipedes
is just out of this world.

And they're totally ready
to join the fight against the Galra.

Nice!

We brought back a few of their leaders
to join the coalition.

That's splendid. Excellent work!

You know, I gotta say,
this is what it's all about...

freein' the people, lovin' the ladies,

then bombin' down the road again
looking for adventure, Voltron-style.

Which brings up a little issue.

They all want to see Voltron,
only we don't really have Voltron anymore.

We don't have Shiro anymore, either.

Everyone seems to have forgotten that.

It may be difficult for us all to accept,

but it is time to think about finding
a new pilot for the Black Lion.

No! I'm gonna find him.

Shiro is the one person who never
gave up on me. I won't give up on him.

[rings]

[snaps]

[Haggar] No one is to be allowed
in Emperor Zarkon's chamber.

Vrepit sa.

-Excuse me.
-What is it, Commander Throk?

Would it be possible to speak
to Zarkon today?

Another planet was lost to rebellion
and I feel he must be informed.

Zarkon is fully briefed
on all imperial matters.

-He certainly doesn't need your input.
-Of course.

It is just that I fear if we do not take
decisive action soon,

the Empire will crumble completely.

Rebel activity should be crushed
with our full might

before more planets
are inspired to fight against us.

Lotor has arrived at headquarters
at Zarkon's request

to take command of the Empire.

Under Zarkon's guidance, of course.

Lotor?

Why is he not at his father's bedside?

Zarkon needs no one by his bedside.
Least of all, you.

Hmm.

[Allura] It is our honor
to have you all here together.

I had the biggest bunker back on Puig,
but it wasn't nearly this nice.

[voice gurgles]
Well, I spent the last decade

sleeping in a spiny thistle thicket.

You look wonderful though, Princess.

I'm glad I put on my best tarp.

Welcome, everyone. Welcome.

I've prepared a few Earth canapés
for our distinguished guests to enjoy

while we talk galactic diplomacy.

The Blade of Marmora
has gathered this intelligence.

As you can see, the Galra Empire
is still the most massive ruling force

the universe has ever seen.

The sheer size of it
is almost incomprehensible.

It seems like it could rule
another 10,000 years.

[shudders]

Not the way I would have started
this pep talk, but okay.

However, we are beginning to see signs
of increased rebel activity

from within the Empire.

[all gasp]

We have a strategy
to bring these forces together,

free more planets, grow our numbers,

and accumulate an army that can defeat
the Galra in major battles.

But without your help,
it will be impossible.

[electronic voice] The forces
will all fight behind Voltron, right?

Yes, where is Voltron?

The people you see before you
are the Paladins of Voltron.

Together, they pilot the mighty lions
that form the great warrior.

Excellent! Can they form Voltron now?

-Uh, well...
-We can't form Voltron, okay?

We can fly the lions,
but Voltron is not happening.

[all gasp]

What he means is that right now
they can't do it, but--

But nothing. Shiro is gone.
He was the Black Lion.

And until we find him,
there is no Voltron.

The lions are still
a substantial fighting force

and this Castle
is also a considerable weapon.

The Blade of Marmora can lead you.

My people have been enslaved
for centuries

by soldiers who look exactly like you.

Yes! Our people have heard the legend
of Voltron, how he defeated Zarkon.

That is what gave them hope.
What are we supposed to tell them now?

Tell them to stand up
and fight for themselves!

Voltron is gone!

[whirs]

[weak chuckle]

Pizza roll? Pig in a blanket?

I'll have a pizza roll.

[crowd cheering]

[roars]

[blade rings]

I tried to speak with Lord Zarkon today,
but the witch stopped me again.

I fear the Emperor's condition
may be worse than she is telling us.

I'm not sure he will ever return
to the throne.

Agreed.
And now Prince Lotor is taking over?

We've fought by Zarkon's side forever,

and now we are passed over
by this exiled brat.

I've heard rumors he fights alongside
his enlisted men like a lowly private.

Worse than that, his top generals
aren't even pure Galra.

They are half-breeds at best.
He has no honor.

[General] Some say he allows the planets
he conquers

to continue to rule themselves.

-Can you imagine?
-[Throk] Clearly he's a dangerous lunatic.

I've already spoken
with the other officers in my sector.

They've all agreed to back me
if I fight for the throne.

Normally, I would never think
of such a thing, but...

What choice do we have?

Then you'll support me?

Yes.

[blade clanging]

Who's this little fellow?

I don't know. I've never seen him before.

[crowd cheering]

[grunts, growls]

[blade rings]

[crowd cheers]

[warrior groans]

[cheering continues]

[both] Huh...?

Lotor!

Throk. You wish to challenge me?

Then come down and claim your crown.

[crowd gasps]

True Galra do not take the throne

by stirring up insurrection
in darkened chambers.

They rise through honorable rite
of combat.

Defeat me here and the throne is yours.

[cheering]

[growls]

Humph.

[growls]

[growls]

-I gladly accept your offer.
-[crowd cheering]

Now all will see
who is the rightful leader.

I have fought thousands of battles

and left many enemies
much more fearsome than you

wasting on the battlefields.

-[blade whirs]
-[yells]

You have flawless technique,
that I'll grant you.

Still, you must realize at some point,

that your repetitive attacks
are getting you nowhere.

[yelling]

[groans]

[clangs]

[grunts]

Your tactics are stale.

And in the end,
your own aggression is your undoing.

[crowd cheering]

[chanting]
Lotor! Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!

Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!
Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!

Lotor! Lotor! Lotor! Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!

Huh?

My father built our Empire
on the bones of his enemies.

But the time has come
to change the old ways,

and inspire not fear from those we rule,
but loyalty.

We must not waste our energy
fighting to keep our subjects down,

but rather multiply it, by allowing
those worthy to rise and join our ranks.

[faint gasp]

The Universe can no longer doubt
our strength.

Each ally gained only makes us stronger,

while those who continue
to stand against us...

will be crushed.

Lotor, we pledge our loyalty to you.

Vrepit sa.

[crowd chanting] Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!
Lotor! Lotor! Lotor!

[purring]

[footsteps approaching]

That went well.

The masses are easily manipulated.

Have Throk transferred out
to the Ulippa System immediately.

Let him rot with the ice worms.

Hey, man. Listen...

we all miss Shiro.

I remember what a thrill it was
to meet him for the first time

when the two of us carried him out
of that garrison hospital.

I grew up with my dad and Matt
telling me stories about him.

He was a legend at our house.

[Hunk] The guy taught me
everything I know about being a pilot.

Which isn't much, but that's more on me.

You're not the only one hurting, man.
We're all right there with you.

But you know that he would be the first
one to tell us that we have to move on.

[Allura] Keith, I know
exactly how you feel.

But our mission is bigger
than any one individual.

Even those who are
completely irreplaceable.

I know you're right.

It's time to figure out
how to reform Voltron.