Merla uses her telepathic powers to make Zarkon place her in charge of the next mission to attack Planet Arus. Meanwhile on Arus, word has been spreading that King Alfor is preparing to return from the grave. Some townspeople find a cave that has a statue with a golden shield that is believed to have belonged to Alfor. Allura, wanting to believe that her father has returned, heads for the cave with her teammates right behind her. It turns out to be a trap. The guys get trapped in the cave, and Allura gets taken prisoner by Merla.