The Planeteers
By Kevin D. Smith
Chapter 1: Reintroduction
Captain Planet, he's our hero--"He's" as in "He
was." I know you've heard the story; The spirit of the Earth, Gaia, is awoken from a long sleep because humans were destroying earth with their pollution. This was a problem for her, as it was getting really bad, so she created five magic rings, each with the power to control an element of nature. The rings' powers were Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and for some reason Heart. I know Heart isn't an element, but whatever. Gaia sent the rings to five chosen youths across the globe, me being one of them, us thust becoming "
The Planeteers." You know, "We are Planeteers." What the heck were we thinking, anyway? Losers. So anyway, when the five ring powers cobined, Captain Planet arrived and saved the day.
Gi, a female from Asia, recieved the power ring of Water. Kwame, a male from Ghana, got the power ring of Earth. Linka, a female from Russia, got the power ring of wind. Wheeler Sloane, a male from Brooklyn, New York, got the power ring of Fire (wow, that's a song). And I guess that leaves me, Ma-ti, from the Amazon jungles, recieving the power ring of Heart. Yes, heart, the more seemingly useless of the five powers. I've heard it all: "Dude, your power is so gay." "Dude, you got ripped off, the power of wind is at least more of a guy's power." or my favorite "Dude, what are you going to do, love someone to death?" But my power was more than that. I had telepathy, felt others' emotions, brought out the good in peoples' heart, and kept people connected... but along the road I failed...
We formed the Planeteers years ago. With our power rings, we didn't need to form Captain Planet, only when the problem was too big. Over the years, Gi, Wheeler, and Linka became so advance with their powers that they themselves could turn into elemental beings without the use of the rings. Obviously Water, Fire, and Wind respectively. Kwame didn't turn into a living pile of dirt or anything, but he did become more powerful. He also still needed the use of his ring. And then there's me. Nothing happened. In fact, it seemed that I was getting weaker, but at the time we all thought that since their powers had grown, that that was the only reason for my seeming lack of power (other than the fact that "Heart" seemed the most pointless, of course). Then it happened... I somehow lost my power ring, making me powerless.
With my lost of powers, our friendships too were lost. Wheeler blamed me for losing my ring, saying that I was irresponsible. He also blamed me because now, Captain Planet was gone. Kwame was the one to defend me when Wheeler actually tried to throw a fire ball at me by "calling the earth" to rise and sheilding me. And when Wheeler turned into the elemental being of fire to attack me further, Gi was the one who turned into the elemental being of water and put him out. Linka, his girlfriend, tried her best to calm Wheeler down, but in the end, he walked away... We soon discovered that my power was greater than we thought as it seems that I was the only one truly kept the group together.
We, the remaining Planeteers, went to
Hope Island and sought out Gaia for answers to where my ring could be, but all we found was Wheeler... Hope Island was a wreck around him, and he was clinging onto my now burnt to death monkey, Suchi.
Linka: Wheeler, what have you done?
Wheeler was speechless for a moment. Something I never thought I'd see happen.
Wheeler: Guys.. I didn't mean to.. I--I was upset about earlier, so I came here to ask Gaia what happened to us. She told me how Ma-ti's power was more important than we thought. He lost faith in himself because we took him for granted, and so his power ring was now able to be lost or something like that. She went on a search for the ring and, until furthar notice, Captain Planet was gone, but I already knew that.
Gi: So What happened here?
Wheeler: I--I was furious, so lashed out. I destroyed my quarters, burned down a tree--
Kwame: so that is why I have been feeling sick for the past few hours.
Wheeler: --and before I could stop myself... Suchi jumped me from behind--he suprised me... and I... I...
Ma-ti: You killed him...
Wheeler: Ma-ti, I'm sorry. I--
I was hurt, so I didn't have time to really think about what I should and shouldn't say. It just slipped out.
Ma-ti: He was my only friend.
Linka: Ma-ti, I know you're hurting, but we're your friends too.
Ma-ti: No, you're really not. After all these years, with my Telepathy and my Empathy, you think I didn't know? That I couldn't tell?!
Gi: Couldn't tell what?
Ma-ti: That if it weren't for that stupid ring ...none of you would've even given me the time of day.
Linka: That's ridicuous!
Ma-ti: Is it, really? What if I told you that I've been using my powers on you for years, making you like me?
Gi: You don't have mind-control.
Ma-ti: No, I don't. but I have been amplifying what was already in your hearts, what's in EVERYONE'S heart. You see how Wheeler lashed out on me earlier? That's how he really feels about me.
Linka: He was upset earlier, nothing more.
Ma-ti: Did you guys know Wheeler was homophobic?
Linka: What does that have to do with anything?
Gi was the first one to catch on.
Gi: oh my god, you're gay?
Ma-ti: Actually, no. but like many others, Wheeler thought so. He's ALWAYS thought so, so today when he finally had the opportunity to hurt me, he did. My Telepathy was always there for me, It allowed me to realize who my real friends were.
Linka:...You're lying.
Gi: Get real, Linka. For the years we've known each other, Ma-ti has always been the most truthful. Powers or not, he would never lie!
Linka: Well he is now!
They were about to go at it when Wheeler finally spoke up. He had been trying to keep quiet during the agument, but he couldn't stay quiet any longer. He finally layed Suchi down.
Wheeler: Linka, stop... He--Ma-ti's right. He's telling the truth about everything. I'm sorry... I--
He tried to go up to Linka, but she pushed him away.
Linka: We are Planeteers. Do you now that that means? It means that we, a group that were chosen, were to insure the continuation of this planet. That didn't apply only to nature, Wheeler. We were to get people to understand the importance of treating EVERY lifeform with respect. Humans are lifeforms, too! Even if Ma-ti were gay, you can't just go and bash him! He is your friend!
Linka was getting even more angry now. She was already angry from when I accused her boyfriend of being homophobic, then it turned out that it was true. Wheeler tried to comfort her, but she used her power on him and blew him to the ground.
Linka: Don't talk to me, wheeler.
She then turned into her elemental form and flew away. Wheeler as well turned into
his elemental form, and since he could as well fly, he went after her. Linka was always dramatic, so I just figured she'd need some time to cool down. Kwame and Gi stayed behind with me, to comfort me. Kwame said something to me that I would never forget: "Ring or no ring, you will always be a Planeteer, and Powers or no powers, you will always be my friend." Him and Gi really proved to me that they were my friends. And then that was it. Eventually in time, Linka and Wheeler made up, Wheeler promising her he'd learn to be a better person. Kwame stayed behind on Hope Island for the return of Gaia, and Gi asked him out. I know, Kwame of all people. He said yes, and they're perfect for each other. And me? I was still upset about A) Losing my power ring B) Being completely responsible for what seemed to be the breaking up of The Planeteers, and C) Losing Suchi, my dear friend. Will things ever get better for me? (Sigh) I guess only time will tell...
