Season 1
Chapter 1: Meet Pidge
Lapis Lazuli, after thousands of years being imprisoned on Earth, flies across the Solar System to return to Homeworld. As she approaches Kerberos, one of Pluto's moons, she takes note of three humanoid individuals examining the small planetoid's surface. As she approaches the edge of the Solar System, a dark shadow overtakes her, revealing itself to be a massive space vessel. During her distraction, a beam of energy latches onto her and begins pulling her into the ship. Despite her struggles, freedom is stripped from her grasp.Two years later, Steven Quartz Universe returns to Beach City, having just saved the Earth from a planet-destroying geo weapon called The Cluster. He's greeted by his best friend, Connie Maheswaran, whom he talks about the event with. While they're talking, an empty soda can hits Steven on the head, with the two noticing a small figure atop the hill of the Crystal Temple.
When they get to the top, they meet a young girl working on a computer of sorts. After a brief greeting, the girl introduces herself as Pidge, and explains that she's investigating radio waves and satellite frequencies to find her father and brother. Pidge explains that they were both pilots for the Galaxy Garrison and that they went missing on the Kerberos mission two years ago. Connie asks if she can look at the readings Pidge has gathered, and points out to Steven that the readings are from the same date that Lapis left Earth. Deciding that it can't be a coincidence, they decide to bring this information to the Crystal Gems, with Pidge following suit.
The three show Pidge's findings to the Crystal Gems; Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Peridot. While trying to theorize what could have taken them, Pidge's monitor detects a large object entering the planet's atmosphere and landing around the area of the Beta Kindergarten. The Gems decide to investigate, but Pidge is adamant that she goes along, given that this also involves her family. Garnet refuses, but Steven is able to convince her to let Pidge come along.
The Gems, Steven, Connie, Pidge, and Lion arrive at the Beta Kindergarten, with Pidge being in awe and fright of the new environment. After traveling through the Beta Kindergarten, Pidge decides to tell Steven and Connie that her real name is Katie Holt, with Pidge being a nickname her brother gave her. They decide to keep calling her Pidge since the name grew on them.
As they approach the energy signature's location, Garnet tenses up, feeling as though they are being watched. They hear a clinking noise and Garnet notices a shadowy figure watching them from atop a ledge. The figure jumps down, revealing himself to be a man garbed in black, leather-like armor with his face concealed by a mask with glowing eyes. After a brief fight, a voice calls out to the mysterious figure to stop, at the same time revealing his name to be Keith. The one who called on Keith to stop fighting reveals himself to be Takashi Shirogane, one of the pilots who went missing on the Kerberos mission two years ago. A second figure reveals himself to be Matthew Holt, Katie's missing brother, who Katie immediately runs to and embraces. After a tender reunion, all sides disable their weapons and Matt begins explaining what happened to them two years ago.
Chapter 2: The Gladiator
After being captured, Matt awakens aboard an alien vessel and sees two aliens named Sendak and Haxus. The two discuss what to do with the new prisoners, planning to have Shiro, Lapis, and Matt fight in gladiatorial combat while Matt's father, Samuel Holt, is sent to the labor camps to be worked to death. Matt protests, catching the attention of the two. He is then electrocuted until he loses consciousness again.Matt reawakens in a prison cell along with Shiro and Lapis. Lapis starts to panic due to her re-imprisonment, but Shiro is able to briefly calm her down. Haxus opens the cell and prepares to take them to Emperor Zarkon.
The three, alongside countless other prisoners, are brought by Sendak and Haxus to Zarkon for the arena. Zarkon warns Sendak of the consequences of failing him, but the commander simply states that his purpose is to live for his Emperor's rule. Having heard enough, Zarkon orders that the prisoners be brought to the arena to "entertain" someone known as Myzax. Shiro remains optimistic that he can find a way to help his friends escape, but Lapis remains cynical about the entire situation.
After they are brought to the arena, Myzax enters and proceeds to kill all the other prisoners, with Shiro, Matt, and Lapis finding cover from his onslaught. After Lapis informs them that she can manipulate water, Matt cuts himself to provide her with a weapon she could use. The three try to survive, with Lapis managing to injure Myzax with her blood dagger. Unfortunately, this caused her to leave herself open and was about to be killed, but Shiro was able to leap in and push her out of the way, sacrificing his right arm as it took the blast. Shiro is able to deduce that Myzax needs to recharge his weapon after three uses, which gives him an idea. After distracting Myzax and causing the gladiator to use up his three shots, Lapis manipulates the blood dagger in his side and proceeds to slash away at him. Before she could land the killing blow, Myzax shatters the dagger with his mace and fires a newly charges blast at her, rendering her unconscious. The gladiator manages to pin Matt to the ground, but as he was distracted with his opponent, Shiro rushes at Myzax and impales him with his sword, killing him in an instant. Though the three survived, the remaining two fell unconscious and were taken away by soldiers.
Chapter 3: The Escape
Shiro slowly begins to reawaken from unconsciousness and notices that he is in a lab being treated by two Galra scientists. The Galra inform Shiro that he is to serve as Zarkon's new champion given that he succeeded in killing Myzax. However, before either scientist could take him to Zarkon, three mysterious figures descend through a ventilation shaft and proceed to kill the two Galra and their assistance. One of the figures helps Shiro up, only for Shiro to discover that his right arm had been replaced with a cybernetic limb. The figure and his associates remove their helmets, revealing themselves to be Galra. Shiro attacks one of them, but the other two restrain him, explaining that they are unaligned with the Empire and are members of the Blade of Marmora. Their leader introduces them as Ulaz, Thace, and Keith. Ulaz explains to Shiro that the Blue Lion of Voltron has been discovered on Earth, putting the whole planet in danger, and that they are there to help him escape so that he can prevent Zarkon from acquiring the weapon. Shiro agrees, but on the condition that they locate and free Samuel Holt from where he was taken. Ulaz agrees and assigns Keith to help Shiro and Matt escape Castle Doom.The two find Matthew, but Lapis is still missing. Matt explains that they where taking her to be experimented on by the Druids, to which Keith tells them that they need to leave. Neither Matt or Shiro intend to leave without Lapis, however. Keith caves in and decides to help them rescue their friend.
The trio locate Lapis as she's being taken to the Druids and manage to free her. Keith contacts Ulaz and explains that he succeeded in his end of the mission, with Ulaz stating that they have set up the sabotage. Keith then contacts someone called "Red" to pick them up at one of the hangars.
As they make their way to the hangar, Matt questions why Keith's name sounds human, to which Keith explains that he was born on Earth. Shiro asks what Lapis intends to do after they escape, with her stating that she intends to return to Homeworld. As Shiro, Matt, and Lapis make their goodbyes, Keith informs them that the hangar is all clear. When they arrive at the hangar, a large mechanical lion appears and opens its cockpit to welcome them in. Keith introduces the Red Lion to the three former prisoners. Before they can board the lion, Sendak arrives, ordering them to surrender the Red Lion or die. Keith refuses, and the two proceed to fight. Shiro orders Lapis and Matt to board the lion while he helps Keith. The two manage to defeat Sendak and make it back to the lion, but Sendak uses his mechanical arm to grab Lapis and reel her in before the Red Lion's maw closes. Keith, deciding not to risk the lives of everyone on Earth, informs his father and Ulaz to begin the sabotage as they escape.
Furious at Keith for abandoning Lapis, Matt demands that the turn back and rescue her, with Keith responding that he has no intention of risking the billions of lives on Earth to save a single person. Shiro reluctantly agrees, but makes it clear that they are going back to rescue both Lapis and Samuel. Matt asks how long it will take them to return to Earth, with Keith explaining that it will take Red approximately two years reach Earth, factoring in obstacles.
Sendak brings Lapis to Haggar, the High Priestess of the Druids. Haggar explains that Gems as a whole are connected to the Quintessence Field and can generate nigh-immeasurable amounts of Quintessence. The witch then proceeds to begin her experiments on Lapis.
Chapter 4: The Blue Lion
Matt finishes explaining their two year journey to Katie and the Crystal Gems, with Steven expressing sadness and concern for Lapis. He questions if it would be possible to negotiate peace with the Galra, but Keith shoots that idea down almost immediately. The young Marmoran tells the Half-Gem that the Galra thrives off the death and destruction they cause with Zarkon's ranks being composed of devoted fanatics. Shiro confirms Keith's experiences and the trio continue with their original plan to get the Blue Lion off Earth before the Galra can sack the planet. The Crystal Gems offer to help, since Earth's protection is their responsibility. Katie also decides to help and makes it a point that she won't take no for an answer. Keith then explains that he sent Red ahead of the group to locate Blue's energy signature, with Peridot noting that it would take them days to reach it on foot. The group use Lion as a means to get to the Red Lion's location as quickly as possible, with Steven's animal companion teleporting them to Red's location.After they arrive at Red's location, Katie and Peridot attempt to examine the Lion, only to be pushed back by an energy field. Keith explains to them that Red doesn't like to be touched without permission and that "she" is a sentient being due to how the Lions were constructed. Garnet senses a familiarity with the location, having encountered a barrier that prevented them from entering a specific cave when Rose was still with them. The group is able to locate the cave entrance, but find that the barrier is still there. However, Connie and Steven hear a voice that calls them to the cave and enter, having no difficulty in doing so. Keith realizes that the Lion is calling to them and gives them communicators to keep in contact. The two are then told to exercise caution and proceed to enter the Lion's cave.
The two travel through the cave, following the Lion's voice. They eventually come across a series of runes and one in particular that resembles a hand-print, with its importance signified by its bright glow. Due to the hand-print being twice their height from the ground, Connie gets an idea on how to reach it. She offers Steven a dance, with him immediately catching on to what she's planning. The two perform a short dance and fuse, becoming Stevonnie. Stevonnie puts their hand on the imprint and activates a trap door, taking them straight to the Blue Lion. As they try to figure out how to secure her, they hear the Lion's voice again. The Lion's maw lowers to the ground, signaling that they can enter. Once they enter the cockpit, the Lion simply states "worthy" to the fusion. Stevonnie, after a rough start, is able to successfully pilot the Lion back to the surface. After they reunite with the rest of the group, Keith explains to them that they have been deemed worthy to pilot the Blue Lion and as such, are the only ones capable of piloting her. A beeping noise comes from the Galra's pouch and he pulls out a small device. He loudly informs the others that a Galra Dreadnaught has entered Earth's solar system and that they must leave Earth immediately.
Chapter 5: The Castle
With the Dreadnaught approaching Earth, Shiro orders everyone to get aboard the Lions to they can lure the Galra away. Pearl is at first adamant that they stay, as they need to protect Earth, but Garnet is able to convince her. She states that if they don't leave, then the death of countless human lives will be a certainty. The Crystal Gems enter the Blue Lion while Matt, Shiro, Katie, and Keith enter the Red Lion. Both the Red and Blue Lions leave Earth's atmosphere and are almost immediately intercepted by the Galra vessel. While Stevonnie evades the oncoming fighters, Keith shoots them down. The entire event causes Stevonnie to panic, as they have never been in a situation where they had to take a life to survive. This inner conflict almost causes them to defuse, but Garnet is able calm Stevonnie down and put them at ease. When Stevonnie goes to aid Keith, the Blue Lion speaks to them and provides them with a frost cannon, freezing their enemies rather than killing them. As the two Lions make their way to the edge of the solar system, Pidge notifies the Crystal Gems that large amounts of negative energy and exotic matter are amassing at where they're headed, meaning a wormhole is up ahead. Low on options and needing to outpace the Galra as fast as possible, they decide to take the wormhole before it collapses. The two Lions enter the vortex, sending a shock-wave that shook the entire solar system in its wake.Back at Castle Doom, Zarkon absorbs the Quintessence from a canister, savoring the energy it bestows upon him. Haggar enters and informs her emperor that Prorok failed to retrieve the Blue Lion and that it has left Earth. Zarkon questions how interrogation of their captured Marmoran, Ulaz, is progressing; with Haggar informing him that they have yet to gain anything meaningful from the agent. Zarkon orders Haggar to send Sendak after the active Lions to ensure that Voltron does not form against them. Before Haggar leaves, Zarkon praises her studies into Gem Quintessence and tells her to continue with her studies, with Haggar honored by his words.
The Lions emerge from the other side of the wormhole and arrive at a nearby planet similar to Earth. Before they can identify their location, they lose control of the Lions and are pulled to the surface of the nearby world. They land at the entrance of a large castle and decide to exit the Lions, seeing as the atmosphere is inhabitable for them. When they approach the entrance of the castle, Shiro tells Keith, Steven, and Connie to inspect the entrance since they are the Lion pilots and the current location has some connection to them. Connie knocks on the front entrance, which shockingly works, allowing them to investigate the inside of the castle.
As the investigate the castle, they soon come across a centralized area containing three cryopods. Two of the pods open up, with Matt and Pearl helping the two aliens that awaken. The first, after fully awakening, introduces herself as Princess Allura, and becomes perplexed at the strangers who are in her castle. The second alien awakens and flirtatiously introduces himself to Pearl as Prince Lance. He soon finds himself dropped on the floor, with the Gem annoyed by him. After seeing his royal cousin, the two embrace and ask who the group is. They introduce themselves as the Crystal Gems and explain that they arrived at the castle because they were brought there by the Lions of Voltron. Before Allura can fully process what Steven told her, she notices Keith in the group and proceeds to attack him. She holds him up, but releases him when it's explained that he piloted the Red Lion to the castle. After fully processing what she was told, she inspects the date and realizes that they have been in cryostasis for 10,000 years, with everyone they ever knew now dead at Zarkon's hands. A third pod opens, revealing a bushy-mustached Altean that proceeds to attack Keith, only to fail comedically. Allura and Lance embrace him and he's introduced as Coran. The two royals begin to explain what has happened while they were in stasis.
Haggar assigns Commander Sendak with the task of retrieving the Blue and Red Lions. Before he signs off, Haggar informs him that she's sensed a resurgence in Altean magic, signifying the return of Alfor's bloodline, much to Sendak's shock. The Druid witch tells the commander to not only succeed where Prorok failed, but to also destroy the remains of the Altean race. Sendak tells her that he will succeed, or die trying.
Chapter 6: Welcome to the Jungle
The Alteans mourn the loss of their home-world and people, saddened by the knowledge that they are now the last remnants of their race. While Allura grieves, Lion points her to a squeaking noise coming from her cryo-pod. This leads her to a small group of Altean mice, which grants Allura some happiness that she, Lance, and Coran aren't the last Alteans to some degree. After some coaxing from Coran and Lance to get some food, and making her distaste for Keith known, Allura proceeds to make plans to reacquire the remaining Lions of Voltron and put a stop to Zarkon's conquest.Once they arrive at the command center, Allura activates an unknown red holo-button which activates the Castle of Lion's AI. This AI takes the form of Allura's father, King Alfor. Alfor informs his family that he created a digital copy of his mind so as to guide them in the event that they reawaken. Both Allura and Lance are grateful to see Alfor again, even though it is as an AI and not real. After a brief reunion, Allura proceeds to explain that the Lions were piloted by her father and four others over 10,000 years ago and combined to create a warrior loved by good and feared by evil known throughout the universe as Voltron. She proceeds to locate the remaining Lions, only to learn that they already have the Black Lion, with both Allura and Coran coming to the conclusion that Alfor kept the Lion hidden in the Castle and that access to her would be restricted until the other Lions are brought together. Allura then locates the Yellow Lion on Balmera X-95-Vox and the Green Lion on Olkarion, much to Keith's shock since the Blade of Marmora sent him to aid the rebels there a few years prior. Lance proceeds to insult the Galra organization and Keith begins to trade barbs with the Altean Prince, only for both of them to be cut off by Allura. Given the qualifications to pilot the Lions, Allura sends Steven and Connie to take Amethyst to the Yellow Lion, while she apprehensively tells Keith to take Matthew, Katie, and Peridot to the Green Lion. As she finishes, however, the Castle alarm activates, revealing that Sendak's warship, the Fire of Purification, will be entering Arus's atmosphere in two Earth hours. Everyone proceeds to make haste and gather the remaining Lions before he arrives.
Using the Teladuv portals that the Castle creates; Keith, Matthew, Pidge, and Peridot arrive at Olkarion. The group manages to sneak past the planetary blockade and land in a spot hidden from Galra scanners. Once the group exits the Lion, Keith explains that they need to meet with Ryner, a friend of his father and one of the Rebel generals. Before they can proceed, a rustling puts them on guard, only to reveal that their "attacker" is a harmless veggitoid, and one that resembles a pumpkin. Seeing as it took a liking to Peridot, she orders the now named Pumpkin to stay with the Red Lion while they go to meet Ryner.
The group trudges through the jungle to meet the rebels when they suddenly hear the sound of snapping twigs and leaves. They then find themselves surrounded by the Olkari rebels, to which Keith informs that they are their to meet their leader. Ryner arrives and orders her men to stand down, greeting Keith as an ally and comrade. Keith informs her that they are there to locate the Green Lion and keep it out of Galra hands. Ryner tells the group that Haxus has their ruler, Lubos, imprisoned and is threatening his life unless the enslaved Olkari locate the Green Lion for the Empire. The group agrees to save Lubos, but before they leave, Ryner recognizes both Matt and Katie as the children of Samuel Holt, who joined a rebellion after he was rescued. The rebel leader offers to give them whatever information she has on his whereabouts once they complete their mission.
With the help of the rebels, they are able to infiltrate the imprisoned Olkarion city and locate both Lubos and the Green Lion. When they arrive to rescue the king, they see him simply watching movies and enjoying food. When he notices them, he tries to play himself off as a prisoner, but his "rescuers" don't fall for it. As he tries to make excuses for himself, Haxus arrives with his men to execute the infiltrators. Before anyone can do anything, Keith grabs Lubos and puts his luxite blade at the king's neck, holding him hostage. Having already located the Green Lion, Haxus deems the kings useless to them and orders his men to open fire, killing Lubos as the others manage to get away. Keith uses his code-breaker to lock the soldiers in Lubos's "cell" for the time being while they come up with a plan to shut the sentries in the city down. Both Katie and Peridot state that they should be able to hack into the Galra technology to do so, with Matthew agreeing since they are low on options.
Working together, Pidge and Peridot manage to hack the Galra's systems, resulting in a city-wide shut down of all Galra sentries. The two were also able to copy all Empire-related onto a small compact disc for later use. With the path to the Lion clear, the group prepare to retrieve her.
The foursome enter the lab-compound where the Green Lion is being held. As they approach, Katie and Peridot hear the voice of the Lion, signifying that either one or both of them might be worthy. Before they could get closer, Haxus sneaks in and attacks Keith, knocking him off the bridge. Matt duels Haxus while Katie and Peridot make their way toward the Lion. However, he eventually takes a strike to the head from the butt of Haxus's rifle, leaving him at his mercy. Haxus bargains Matthew's life for their surrender. Matt tells his sister to get to the Lion, but Katie refuses, having already lost her brother once and not wanting to lose him again. In a moment of arrogance, Haxus decides to kill them all and proceeds to aim his gun at Katie. Before he can do so, he is impaled from behind by a familiar luxite blade. After Keith kills Haxus, he and Matt bring Katie and Peridot to the Lion, where they learn that both are worthy to pilot her. With the Lion in their possession, the team return to Ryner.
Having completed their mission, Ryner thanks them for aiding their rebellion and gives them the information regarding Samuel Holt's whereabouts. They then board the Lions and return to Arus.
As Peridot plays with Pumpkin, Keith questions if Matt intends to use the information they downloaded to try and find Lapis. Keith reminds him that after two years in Galra hands, she could very well be dead. Matt responds that he needs to know and find her if she's alive, since he owes her that much.
