A/N (authors note): Okay so I used to love Captain Planet when I was younger and recently I was really in the mood for some good old CP so I dusted off some of the VHS tapes I made of it back in the day when it was on tv and watched them. Then I decided to see what kind of fanfiction was available and was sad to see only three pages worth on ! I usually write more for anime but since there is such a lack of CP fics and it was such a timeless show I figured I would try my hand at writing one so here it is.
Plot: Basically my whole thing is that Gaia randomly took them and made them planeteers in the course of a day and personally I think it would be a little hard to adjust to such a big change in the blink of an eye. The planeteers did have lives before they suddenly joined up to fight eco-villains. So this story is kind of a re-write of the original show (but don't get it wrong, I'm not re-writing the episodes exactly, just more of a different take on it), showing more depth and character development to the planeteers and accounting for the lives they have outside of Hope Island. From the fics available I get the impression that more people care to read about the planeteers anyway then Captain Planet himself (although he will be in it). Needless to say Linka and Wheeler are by far my fav characters (not that I don't like the others), though I liked that the show was educational and entertaining the cute moments between them were my fav lol and everyone seems to like those two together so a big part of the fic will revolve around their growing relationship so rest assured they will get together, eventually hehehe. It will mostly be about those two developing. Anyway hope you like it, it's no where near finished in my mind and stuff so if anyone wants to offer up suggestions on eco-emergencies to make them deal with, character developments, etc. I would gladly take your suggestions and thoughts into consideration :)
Disclaimer: "I don't own Captain Planet and the Planeteers or anything related to it for that matter, Ted Turner and TBS/Hana-barbara do as far as I know. This story is completely for the fun of writing and sharing."
italics means thoughts
Following Destiny
Chapter 1: A New Life
The Geo-cruiser touched down on the sand outside the crystal chamber room. The newfound team of planeteers had just returned from their very first mission. They had stopped a man named Hoggish Greedly and his sidekick Rigger from stealing oil from a wildlife preservation and causing an oil spill on the animals that lived in and around the river he was drilling in. After Captain Planet, the new eco-friendly super hero only they could apparently summon had chased off Greedly, they were left to clean up his mess which was, though worth it, time consuming and exhausting. The planeteers piled out of the yellow aircraft still rather surprised Gaia was able to supply them with such an effective and environmentally friendly transportation device, but thankful none-the-less.
Gi looked at Kwame, one of her four new teammates and asked, "So what do we do now?"
Though everyone just met earlier that day and didn't really know each other it seemed that Kwame had been silently selected as the leader to which they all looked to make team decisions. His calm demeanor during their mission earlier made him seem level headed and reliable enough at least.
"I think we should head back over to Gaia," he replied heading for the crystal chamber. The rest followed behind him.
The five teenagers entered the hut and looked around for Gaia but saw no one. After a few seconds, the redheaded teen from New York shouted out.
"Hey yo Earth sprit, you wanna come back and tell us what to do now?"
The Russian blonde was appalled by Wheeler's lack of respect for Gaia. "Show some respect, Yankee!"
Wheeler looked at her and put his hands up in defense. "Jeeze, babe, you don't hafta get all bent outta shape." Linka turned her head away from him and crossed her arms over her chest.
Suddenly Gaia appeared in front of them. Ma-Ti was the first to address her. "Gaia, we are back," he said. She smiled at them warmly as she approached the group.
"Yes I can see that, Ma-Ti. I saw your performance through my crystal vision. Well done planeteers you're first mission was a success. You should be proud of yourself, I am." The five teens smiled in reply.
"So what do we do now, Gaia?" Kwame questioned.
Gaia's smile slipped a little as she knew she had to explain everything they would be up against and the changes they would be in for if they choose to continue as planeteers. She got a serious look on her face as she began.
"You all did a wonderful job today, but this is only the beginning. Being a planeteer is a full time job."
Link raised a question. "How will we be able to unite quickly enough to deal with problems when we all live so far apart?"
Gaia looked at her and answered, "You will all have to move here to Hope Island so you can be called on at a moments notice."
Wheeler interrupted, the sound of excitement lacing his voice.
"You mean we'd get to live here? This is like paradise compared to the slum I'm from in New York! And to top it off we get to be some kinda special heroes? You can count me in," he finished.
Gaia looked at him seriously and continued. "There is more to it then living in paradise, Wheeler. Everyday there are environmental issues happening around the world that you will have to deal with and clean up after. It will not be an easy job. You will not be paid for it and often times it is a thankless job. Your life may even be in danger at times. If you are in it for the glory you should rethink that decision."
Wheeler looked down a little embarrassed. Linka quietly spoke, more to herself than to the others although they all heard. "What about our lives back home . . ." she trialed off, her eyes cast down as she said it.
Gaia looked at her with a small look of pity in her eyes. Of the five teenagers she chose, Linka was the one that really had reasons to turn the job down. Kwame and Ma-Ti were orphans. They had friends back home but no real families. Gi had family, but both her parents were always out to sea studying marine life and since she was very preoccupied with the sea herself, she did not have many friends to miss. Wheeler had a family too, but his father was an alcoholic and his neighborhood was just as he said, a slum. He was not close with his family much and though he had friends, most of them were starting to turn into people Wheeler didn't want to be. Drugs and vandalism weren't really his style, but sooner or later if he continued to live there he'd end up just like the rest of them, so staying on Hope Island was a blessing for him.
Linka on the other hand had family that could use her help. Though her mother died of an illness when she was very young and her father a few years back due to a mining incident, she did have her grandmother and her big brother Mishka. They lived on a farm in the Soviet Union and times were really hard, especially with the impending fall of the Soviet Union slowly descending upon them. Not to mention there was Ivan too. She was the only one that was involved with someone back home which would make her decision even harder.
"Well if you decide to do this, you will all return home to get some of your things and to talk to your families and friends about it if you need to. Then you will return here tomorrow and start training with your powers so you can utilize them to the best of your ability. There are huts for you to stay in near here and you will not be without modern luxuries. I'm sure you all have noticed I have many capabilities and so you will have access to such things as running water and a telephone to call your loved ones."
When no one responded Gaia continued, "It is really up to all of you, you don't have to do this. I understand this will be a life altering change and a difficult decision to make but the planet does need you. If nothing is done, the future looks pretty grim for all of us."
Kwame studied the new ring on his hand intently before looking up at Gaia with a look of determination flaring in his eyes. He was the first to answer. "I would be honored to fight to protect our planet." Gaia smiled as Ma-Ti spoke next.
"As would I. Alone we are powerless but together we can really make a difference."
"I'm with the little guy. It might be a tough job but someone's gotta do it. Besides, it's not like I was goin' anywhere back in New York anyway. Now I can really be somebody," Wheeler added, making a fist with his ring hand, a cocky smile on his face.
Gi nodded her head and smiled, "I have always dreamed about being able to make a difference and now that I have been given the chance there's no way I'd pass it up!"
Linka was the only one that hadn't said anything yet. They all looked at her expectantly which made her a little uncomfortable. To avoid their intense gaze Linka looked down at her ring. The thought of having the power to manipulate the wind was intoxicating and being able to make a difference around the world was enticing to say the least. Not to mention her new teammates seemed interesting as well, especially the red-haired guy, but her family and the love of her life were back in the Soviet Union. She looked at the Irish Claddagh ring on her other hand that had the crown facing outward showing her heart was taken. How would Ivan deal with this? Would their relationship be able to withstand something so unexpected and random? What about the distance? She'd never heard good things about long distance relationships . . . And what about herself? Could she bear to be so far from him?
The silence was deafening and it was starting to get to Wheeler. He was holding his breath waiting for her reply. More than the others he was really hoping the beautiful blonde would decide to join them. The minute they appeared on Hope Island he noticed her and it was like an instant attraction. About a couple of weeks back the longest relationship he'd ever been in came to a sudden end when Trish abruptly told him it was over. He really cared for her, but the hardest part was the suddenness of the break up more so than actually losing Trish. They had been dating for a year and a half and though they were great together at first, as time went on they seemed to start drifting apart, especially once they graduated from high school. And then suddenly one night out of the blue Trish said it was over, she needed more than he could give her and that was that, she walked away. For the most part he was over Trish, as it seemed their relationship really ended a long time ago. Staying together was just easier and more comfortable than breaking up and she was the one that finally had the nerve to end it, but since he dated her for so long he was having a harder time letting go of it completely.
He went out to a few clubs with the boys after they broke up trying to meet other girls and forget about Trish but that had proved unsuccessful. In fact, the night Gaia whisked him away to Hope Island, for it had been nighttime in New York at the time, he was on his way back home from a night out with the boys that hadn't lifted his spirits quite as much as he'd hoped. He was thinking about Trish and how different things were now without her in his life, and then in the blink of an eye things got more different than he'd ever imagined. Standing on a tropical island having no idea what the heck just happened, he saw four other people there with him and his heart skipped a beat when his eyes moved over the blonde girl. She looked about his age and possibly European not to mention just as surprised as he did to be there. But most importantly, for a few moments, he forgot about Trish. For having just met, all five of them seemed to work well as a team on the mission they just returned from and he was really hoping she would agree to stay and be part of the team. There was just something . . . different about her.
Not being able to wait any longer for Linka's over due reply he finally spoke up. "So? Whadaya say, babe, you in or what?"
"We really could use you on the team," came Kwame's less offensive statement.
Gi added, "Yeah I really don't want to be the only girl on the team either. It would be great to get to know you."
"So my friend, will you join us too?" Ma-Ti's spoke followed by a smile.
Linka looked at each of them individually, falling on Wheeler last who flashed her a warm, handsome smile. How could she say no?
Linka finally answered, "Da, I am "in" as the Yankee put it."
Wheeler's smile widened, "Alright! Welcome aboard, toots."
Linka gave him a look for calling her "toots" but smiled anyway. Gaia looked pleased that they all decided to take the job.
"Then today begins your new lives as planeteers."
Gaia instructed them all to head to the Geo-cruiser to go home to get their things and return to Hope Island tomorrow evening. That would give them all time to pack and talk to the important people in their lives about it. They all headed to the Geo-Cruiser both excited and apprehensive at the same time. Kwame would keep the Geo-Cruiser and pick them all back up to return to Hope Island tomorrow. Once that was decided, they all buckled up and set out. Silence descended on the group. No one really knew what to say, they were all too preoccupied with their own thoughts about their new futures.
xXxXxXx
When Linka arrived home it was already dark and rather late. When she walked into her house her brother immediately came up to her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Where have you been, Linka? Nonna and I have been so worried. We called Ivan and he did not know where you were either."
It was good to hear her big brother's voice, something familiar in the middle of her crazy day.
"Mishka, we need to talk . . ."
He looked at her questioningly and she gestured for him to sit down at the kitchen table. As he sat in one of the four chairs she picked up the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Mishka inquired.
Linka started dialing as she replied, "Ivan, he needs to hear this too." After telling him to come over she sat down across from Mishka and tried to collect her thoughts so her story made as much sense as possible.
Before she could speak he pointed at the wind ring on her finger and asked, "Linka, where did you get that new ring?"
"That is actually what I need to talk to you about. This ring is special to say the least."
With that she explained her entire day to her brother who was listening intently to every word she was saying and trying to make sense of it all. Once she finished about her eventful day the first thing Mishka said was, "Wow, you have had a pretty intense day."
Linka nodded in response and the two siblings sat their in silence for a minute before Mishka spoke again. "So, you really want to do this then?"
"It was not an easy decision, Mishka. It is hard for me to just up and leave you, Nonna, and Ivan, but I have to do this. Mishka, the Earth is dying, if I do not help the others, we will all be in trouble in the future . . . That is why I am willing to do this even though it will disrupt my whole life."
Mishka looked down at the wooden table and started tracing one of the many cracks it had acquired over the years with his index finger.
"But you were going to be somebody, Linka. You were going to go to college, you were smart enough to."
Last year was her senior year of high school and she was really looking forward to continuing her education. She loved to learn and college was perfect for her. She worked hard in high school to get grades that would warrant a scholarship since her family could never afford to send her to college. And here she was throwing that away for a job that sounded dangerous with little gratuity to boot.
She sighed and replied, "But, Mishka, I will still be somebody, I will be a planeteer, a person that helps keep the planet safe for everyone. And I can always go to college later, I just graduated from high school. Besides I wanted to study abroad for a while and being a planeteer will take me to more countries and places than I could have ever imagined."
Mishka smiled. "You always did want to travel."
Linka smiled back. "Da I did, and now I will."
The doorbell rang, breaking up the brother sister moment in the kitchen. Linka stood up from her seat. "That would be Ivan." She looked back at Mishka before going to the door. "So, are you okay with this then?"
He rose from his spot at the table and hugged her before saying, "I will always support you. You are my little sister." The doorbell rang again and she left his embrace to go tell her boyfriend the same thing she had just told her brother.
xXxXxXx
Wheeler was at his family's apartment in New York City eating some lunch at the table with his mom. Unlike Linka's family, his didn't even notice that he was missing all night, but that was normal. When he got home he was exhausted from the day's events not to mention it had been nighttime when he was taken from New York by Gaia and when he got home it was early morning, so he went straight to bed to get a few hours of sleep before he had to head back out. Now it was a little after noon and he had to tell his parents about his new future as a planeteer and start packing his stuff since Kwame would be back for him in the evening. His dad came into the kitchen in his bathrobe and boxers wanting some food. Once his dad was at the table too he cleared his throat for their attention.
They both looked at him and he causally said, "So last night I was given this ring, taken to an island, and chosen to save the Earth with four other kids like me."
His parents both stared at him then his dad looked at his mother and said, "I told you the kid was getting into drugs with all the rest of the losers he hangs out with, Irene."
Wheeler spoke up before his mom could say anything. "I'm not on drugs, Dad. I'm tellin' you the truth. One of the other guys from the new team will be pickin' me up this evening and from then on I'll be livin' on that island." He paused and waited for a response from his parents.
His mother took a turn to speak, "Save the world from what, son?"
He sighed, "From us, from humans. Apparently we're really doin' a number on our planet and pretty soon it's gonna be completely ruined. So, I've been chosen to help keep that from happenin' with two other guys and two girls, all from different countries. That's what I was doin' last night. We had an "eco-emergency" as Gaia calls it."
"Gaia?" his mother interjected.
"Yeah, the spirit of the Earth."
His dad coughed and looked back down at his sandwich as he said, "If that's not drugs talking I don't know what is."
Wheeler slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "I told you I'm not on drugs, Dad!"
His dad glared at him. "Well you're talking like a lunatic."
Wheeler returned his glared. "I know it sounds weird but I'm tellin' you the truth."
He was half tempted to use his ring to light his father's napkin on fire to prove that he wasn't crazy, but he was afraid that would scare his mom and make his dad even more angry, not that his dad was ever not angry with him.
His father abruptly rose from his seat. "I always knew you weren't going anywhere after high school. You're going to end up a loser, just like all your friends." His father grunted and walked out of the room in a huff.
Wheeler gritted his teeth to keep from saying anything.
His mother noticed and said, "Don't, Wheeler, let him go, you know it only makes things worse when you talk back."
His mother's words deflated him like a balloon. She was right.
Wheeler rose from his seat and headed for the door as he said, "I knew he wouldn't understand."
"Where are you going?" his mother asked.
"To say goodbye to my friends. I'll be back to get my stuff, then I'm outta here." That said he walked out the door.
He headed to the arcade he and his group of friends frequented a few blocks away. There was really no where else to go during the day, no where they could afford anyway. When he walked in his friend Frankie waved him over.
"Hey yo, Wheeler, over here!" Wheeler nodded his head at him and walked over.
"What's up, Frankie?"
Frankie laughed and responded, "Same thing as yesterday and the day before: nothin'. What about you?"
"I'm actually leavin' town, probably for a long time so I wanted to come say goodbye."
Frankie's big smile fell. "Why? What's goin' on? You in some kinda trouble?"
After the reaction his father gave him, he really didn't feel like getting into it again. Besides these guys would probably just think it was a joke anyway. Wheeler was known for being a prankster after all.
"Nah, I just got some things I gotta take care of and I can't do that livin' here."
Frankie's face showed that he had a thought as he said, "It's Trish, isn't it?"
Wheeler wasn't expecting that. "What are you talkin' about?"
Frankie put his hand on his friend's shoulder in sympathy. "Man, I know you two dated for, like, ever but you really gotta get over her and you don't hafta run away to do that."
Wheeler brushed Frankie's hand off of his shoulder and gave his arm a light punch. "Trust me, dude, it ain't Trish. It's much bigger than that stuff."
"Well hey, man, at least keep in touch with all of us who are stuck back here in the ghetto," he said with a teasing tone.
Wheeler smiled a genuine smile. He really would miss Frankie, probably more than anyone else. Certainly more than his father at least.
"I will."
Wheeler did the goofy hand shake they'd been doing for years and he turned to walk out of the arcade.
Frankie shouted after him, "Hey, Wheeler, I always knew you were better than all this! Make sure you make somethin' of yourself, okay?"
Wheeler gave him thumbs up then walked out. He would definitely miss Frankie.
To be continued . . .
A/N: Well that's the first chapter. I'm going for a more serious tone to the original series b/c lets face it, sometimes it was down right cheesy and I thought it could have been better lol Plus, I don't know, I would definitely think it would take a toll on some of them at least. This would be a huge change! Rest assured this will be finished; I never start something I won't finish. I'm just not fully sure where this is going or how it will end, but I'm all about the Wheeler and Linka so look for them to develop :) Man it was so hard to write for him, I tried to write like he talks, improperly lol And writing grammatical incorrect was really hard for me, I'm a stickler for that stuff. Please remember to review so I can see how readers feel about the story. That's all for now, until next time, see-ya!
SakuraJade