Changes

Disclaimer: I don't own Captain Planet or any of it's characters and I'm not making any money from these fics.

Summary: A busy year for the planeteers, but will it bring them closer together or pull them apart for good?

A/N: This is based on the idea that Zarm is also A spirit and was able to leave his planet after it was destroyed.


Chapter 1 – Old friends and new responsibilities

It seemed like there had been no let up in the planeteer emergencies for almost three months, and the worst ones hadn't even been down to hardened polluters, just ignorant humans. The planeteers were exhausted but Gaia couldn't fault their dedication, in fact she'd never been so proud. As she scanned the planet vision, becoming increasingly depressed, she heard a voice she hadn't heard in a millennia. "Hello Gaia, remember me?"

Turning around, Gaia's face lit with pleasure at the sight of a very attractive, if transparent, man dressed like the philosophers of ancient Greece. "Ouranos!" she exclaimed, moving forward to embrace him. "How are you?"

"Very well, I've just been put in charge of he Council of Light." He told her beaming, in his deep, honeyed voice.

Holding his hands in hers she told him, "That's wonderful, I always knew that was where you were headed."

He laughed, "Well I never made a secret of my views on caretaking a planet."

"No you didn't, but you're still wrong, it has its rewards." She smiled, picking up their old argument where they had left off.

Squeezing her hands he replied, "Let's not argue, I've come here to offer you a job."

"I already have a job." The Earth Spirit said, releasing him and crossing her arms in front of her.

"I know, I know." He told her holding his hands up in surrender. "Though if you ever change your mind…" seeing her expression he moved on. "You were always the most caring and honest of my peers. I'd like you to be the one to review the worthiness of emerging planets and decide whether they should have a spirit guardian."

"Ouranos, I don't know what to say, I'm honoured but…" Gaia said sadly, half wishing she could return with her old friend.

"You would be perfect for it." He encouraged her.

Gaia shook her head, "This planet is not in a good way Ouranos. I'm not sure I'm worthy of it, let alone deciding the fate of others."

"I'm sure. And don't worry it wont interfere with your duties here, you know as well as I that a planet doesn't measure its time in so short a frame as those who inhabit it." He looked at the planet vision. "And do their best to destroy it… perhaps this world doesn't deserve you. I could take it off of the list? Assign you back home…"

"No!" The Spirit of Earth said quickly, "This is my home."

Ouranos grinned triumphantly, "Then take the job Gaia and you can decide for yourself."

Gaia smiled at his manipulation, knowing that he wouldn't really carry out his threat. "Very well Ouranos. You win."

"I like the sound of that Gaia, I think I'd like to hear it more often." He moved closer. "From you anyway."

"We're back Gaia… Oh!" Gi blushed as she saw what she was interrupting and bumped into Kwame, trying to exit their command centre.

"It's alright Gi. Come in all of you. Planeteers I want to introduce you to Ouranos. He's just been put in charge of the Planetary Spirits Council and he's an old friend."

"Yeah," Wheeler said with a grin. "We could tell he's an old friend."

"Wheeler!" Linka admonished him then looked to Gaia's friend. "We are pleased to meet you."

"Yes." Kwame agreed, "Very pleased to meet you, and sorry that we interrupted."

Under his breath Wheeler muttered, "That makes a change." And the beautiful blond by his side hid a smile.

Ouranos smiled at them in return opening his arms expansively. "The feeling is mutual I assure you, Gaia speaks very highly of you all in her reports." Then he turned back to the Spirit of the Earth. "I must go, thank you for your help, I appreciate it more than you know."

"Why? Is something wrong?" Gaia asked, catching a hint of something in his voice.

He cast an eye at the planeteers and shook his head smiling once more, "Of course not, I just need someone I can rely on." Then to all of them, "I will take my leave of you now."

Before he could disappear, Wheeler said, "Hey, if you're the head spirit, how about doing something about Zarm for us?"

"Wheeler!" Linka glared, "Do not be rude."

"Zarm? He's here?" Ouranos said in alarm, "We've been looking for him, Gaia why didn't you tell us?"

The lovely spirit raised her eyebrows in surprise. "It's in my reports, I thought you said you read them."

Looking grave her friend answered, "I do. I have seen no mention of Zarm… I will look into this Gaia I promise." Then nodding to Wheeler, he added "Thank you." With that the Spirit disappeared.

"See." Wheeler said to his Russian companion, "I was being helpful."

Linka rolled her eyes and said, "Ouranos seems really nice Gaia."

"Yeah, he's hot too!" Gi added, making Gaia blush and the others laugh.

More practical than the others, Kwame asked, "What is it that he wants you to do?"

Gaia explained the role Ouranos wanted her to take and finished by telling them what an honour it was.

The wind planeteer frowned, "Do you have time to do that Gaia? With everything that has been happening lately…"

"It'll be fine Linka, there is no rush for the work Ouranos needs me to do. You are my priority, that's not going to change and I wont let anything interfere with it." The spirit smiled warmly at her children.

"It's cool Gaia." Wheeler told her. "We all need someone to snuggle up with." He emphasised the point by slipping his arm around his beautiful Russian and giving her a hug.

Linka sighed and removed his arm as Gaia said, "No Wheeler it's not like that… he is an old friend, more like a brother really."

Wheeler chuckled, "That's not what it look… ow! Linka that hurt!"

"Ignore him Gaia." The wind planeteer said, taking the Americans arm and beginning to pull him away. "Come on Yankee, we have work to do."