The news apparently doesn't get any better.

"Planet Altea...our entire solar system, destroyed! I knew Zarkon was insane, but this seems beyond madness." 

"I'm sorry for the loss of your people, Princess," Shiro says gently. "If there's anything we can do to help..."

He pauses, unconsciously rubbing his upper arm where prosthetic meets flesh. "I've seen the cruelty of the Galra first-hand. Your planet isn't the only one Zarkon has destroyed or enslaved. He needs to be stopped." 

"...Are Galra immortal?"

"Maybe...Altean years are a lot shorter? Or it's a common name among Galra royalty or something?" Pidge suggests. "I mean, maybe it's not actually the same Zarkon."

"If it is, I have no idea how he could still be alive after so long," Coran says. "The Galra don't live that much longer than Alteans, and we're lucky to reach one thousand, let alone ten. I'm afraid haven't a clue what that would be in your planet's years, though!" 

"Whether or not this Zarkon is the one we knew," Allura interrupts, "it sounds as though he is continuing to lead the Galra down a path of conquest and destruction, and therefore must be stopped." 

She looks at Shiro. "What can you tell me about Zarkon and the Galra? You said you have first-hand experience of their methods?" 

He nods. 

"I spent the last year as Zarkon's prisoner. I still don't remember much of that time, but the memories are coming back slowly, and I knew he was searching for a superweapon called Voltron. Trying to find it before he did is what led us to the Blue Lion." 

"He's searching for it because he knows it's the only thing that can defeat him. And that's exactly why we have to find it before he does." 

"We can help. I think the Blue Lion knows where some are, at least."

"You may be able to help with more than just finding the Lions, if you are willing," Allura says, as she leads the way out of the room and up the stairs.

"I believe the five of you were brought here for a reason. The Blue Lion has chosen you, Akira, for its paladin, and unless I am very much mistaken, she has identified the rest of you as potential paladins as well." 

"We got that vision..."

"Nuray's the Yellow Lion," he says, confidently.

Allura looks at him strangely. "I believe you are correct, based on the colour of her personal quintessence, but I am curious as to how you can tell. The ability to perceive quintessence is rare in the galaxy..."

She pauses. "...perhaps even rarer, now." 

"I was talking to the Blue Lion about her. They sent me an image of the yellow leg next to the blue."

"It sounds as though you have a strong bond with your Lion already," Allura notes with approval. "That will help when it is time for you to form Voltron." 

"That's great and all, but what's - quintessence?" Is this a MAGIC giant robot thing, she hopes it's a magic giant robot thing, that'd be cool.

"Quintessence is the energy that comes from all living beings. Plants, animals, people...every being in the universe has a unique power source inside them. Each of the Lions resonates with a different type of quintessence, and seeks out a paladin whose quintessence mirrors their own."

They arrive at their destination, a large room which seems to be near the top of the central tower. The walls on three sides are transparent, looking out over a view of blue sky and rolling green hills. In the centre of the room, a massive blue crystal hangs from the ceiling above a raised platform. 

Definitely a magic giant robot thing!

"Can you cast spells with it?"

"Sorry, what was that word?" Allura asks distractedly as she heads over to stand underneath the crystal. 

"Spell. Like, a - okay I don't know how to define it. I guess 'can you do specific magic stuff intentionally'?"

Coran takes over the explanations, shepherding the humans to a spot where they can watch Allura work without getting in the way. 

"Some Alteans—Allura included—have the ability to manipulate quintessence, from their own bodies as well as from external sources like that Balmera crystal. Allura's going to use it to find the Lions. King Alfor connected them to her lifeforce; she alone is the key to the Lions' whereabouts." 

"Neat! Maybe humans can figure it out, too..."

As Allura stands under the crystal with her eyes closed, it begins to glow, filling the space around her with pale turquoise light. 

Suddenly, the glow expands with a rush, and the room is filled with stars. Constellations whirl around them, some with strange symbols attached. Five points glow brighter than the rest: red, blue, purple, yellow and green. 

"Whooooa." 

Pidge squints at the lights as they swirl past. "It looks like the...Purple Lion? Is in the same location as the Blue Lion." 

"Very observant, Pidge. That's because the Black Lion is in the castle." 

Allura continues to watch the stars as the display rotates. The yellow and green lights settle into place, floating along with the rest of the starscape. The red light continues to swirl around aimlessly.