Hellooooooooo. Best not to read if you're after a fluff ending to this chappie.............Oh, what the hell, read it anyway. Keep reviewing, guys. Thanks again to my regulars and everyone on CPC for feedback and suggestions.

The Tunnel

Chapter Ten

"That is one, ugly looking thing." Kwame thought, echoing William's realisation from earlier. The Planeteer of Earth had been following the duo's progress from Ba'ra's lair down into the depths of the earth via the conveyor belt. Kwame had at one stage nearly given away his position: stepping into one of the makeshift trays after the pair had began descending, he had slipped and hit his head on the metal edge. Crouching down and barely able to breath, he waited for a sign that they heard. Listening closely however, Kwame knew that the two were deep in discussion, probably working out how they would distract the survivors while Ba'ra unleashed the beast.

Risking a look over the side, Kwame could see their heads bobbing in agreement as William stood and prepared to exit the tray. "Good thing I'm not claustrophobic." He thought sarcastically, knowing he and his friends would rather be any place than within these confined spaces. Kwame watched as William placed a foot on the edge of the metal frame and lunged himself onto a hidden platform while Ba'ra remained where he was, descending further into the depths. Steeling himself for the jump, Kwame followed William's lead by leaping onto the platform and quickly ducking out of sight.

On his hands and knees, William was now crawling his way through a small opening, a flashlight guiding the way in one hand, and an unknown object in the other. Kwame waited until the flashlight beam was out of sight before tailing Plunder Jr, uncomfortably aware that being buried alive was a distinct possibility if anything went wrong down here.

As the walls closed in, Kwame found that crawling was now out of the question. On his stomach, he wriggled his way for about 20 metres, making a mental note to shed a couple of pounds if they ever escaped. Gritting his teeth, he continued until William's torch beam came into focus: literally, a light at the end of the tunnel. Aware that William was now standing, Kwame stayed where he was, lying still and watching warily as the man placed a peculiar contraption on the stone floor and moved quickly away. Before Kwame could ponder its use, four claws detached from the object and shot several centimetres into the rock with a sharp 'crack'. Looking on in horror, Kwame watched as the object began to vibrate, its shock waves pulsating through the earth in a concentrated area.

As a large section of rock broke apart and began falling, Kwame saw the large opening it made and realised that he had found his friends. The sound of splashing and screams followed as gravity prevailed. Watching William jump through the hole, Kwame crept over and peered over the edge. He caught sight of a few Russian captives running for their lives, then sighed with relief as Gi and Wheeler came into view, approaching William with their rings out. As a fight broke out among his friends, all thoughts were temporarily put out of his mind as the creature rose out of the water, its roars deafening even from Kwame's vantage point. He watched everyone scatter, catching sight of Wheeler dragging a half unconscious girl to safety (Linka!) and Ma-Ti shouting directions. As the luminescent blob reached the shore, Kwame got a better look at the sparkling mass with no features except a huge, gaping mouth, dripping with moisture.

As Kwame formulated a plan in his head, he understood that two things were paramount: he needed to retrieve the rings, then bury whatever the hell was down there.

"Looks like a giant Jello mould!" Wheeler whispered in awe, unable to curb his mouth as the creature half slithered/half glided around the cavern in frustration, looking for potential prey.

"Shit, I need a holiday," he stated quietly, watching Gi bolt past their hiding spot.

"I'm coming with you, then," came the whispered reply, causing Wheeler to do a double take.

"Oh, God you're delirious too...." he exclaimed lightly, checking her forehead for fever."You sure I'm not cutting of the circulation to your brain or something?"

"I do not think so," she replied, shaking her arm to get rid of the pins and needles.

"Better be careful hon', I might just take you up on that offer!"

Nodding her head and smiling gently, she kept her eyes tightly closed as he repositioned his injured hand, which had been throbbing quite badly since they had ridden the suicide slide into this bottomless pit. Sighing, he checked the progress of the others: Gi's feet were now just visible behind an outcrop of rock, sheltering alongside a few others. More were hiding in crevices; some were still frantically running around and gaining the creature's attention for the moment. Advancing on a lone individual, it lunged forward and seemed to cover one of Plunder's henchmen, the screaming man disappearing into its mass. As the blob moved on, there was no sign of the man who had been cowering to the side.

Wheeler shuddered in disgust and turned his attentions to the girl lying quietly underneath him, breathing unevenly. Using his spare hand, he gently brushed a clump of matted hair out of her eyes before settling his hand on the side of her face, stroking the pad of his thumb over her cheek. The slightest smile touched her lips as he dipped his forehead down to meet hers, both taking solace in the overwhelming calmness the contact so briefly brought them. Blocking out the deafening noise, Linka removed her arms from around his waist, holding his face gently in her hands.

"Thank you for coming to find me, Yankee."

"Fat lot of good it did us, Lin." He muttered darkly, glancing out quickly to monitor the blob's progress. "I'm just sorry we're about to become fast food for this....." Wheelers words were cut short as Linka pulled him close, pressing her lips against his in mid sentence. Surprise turned to an unexpected surge of joy as he reciprocated her actions, pulling her as close as humanly possible as she clung to him, lost in the moment.

"Geez, Linka!" Wheeler sighed, breaking away from her reluctantly just as another spectacle caught his eye, confusion now replacing the feelings of fulfillment and acceptance of their fate. As the creature took down another hapless victim, a lone figure seemed to be unwavering in its stance.

"What the hell is he doing?" He whispered in Linka's ear. Raising her blue eyes to his, Wheeler nodded his head towards shore. In the midst of this chaos stood William, seemingly over-confident and fearless in the face of the terror. Arms raised and eyes closed, William was smiling, as if this was a regular, everyday occurrence.

"YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A QUEEN, LINKA!" He shouted, the sound echoing through the chamber. "BY TOMORROW, YOU AND HALF OF EUROPE WILL BE GONE!" As Linka tensed and hugged him tightly, Wheeler watched as the creature turned and moved in William's direction. "I'M GUNNA' BE A GOD, AND YOU'RE ALL GUNNA' BE DEAD!" Grinning smugly, William continued to provoke the Planeteers, shouting to be heard over the constant roaring. "HOWS THIS FOR ECO-TERRORISM! THIS THING EATS EVERYTHING: PLANT, MINERAL, BIOLOGICAL: IT'S INSATIABLE . WAIT 'TILL THE SUNLIGHT HITS IT, NO ONE WILL STOP IT THEN ....... AND THEY SAID I COULDN'T DO IT: MY PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE A BRAIN BETWEEN THEM, THE MORONS!"

As the creature moved towards the oblivious wacko, Gi was now on her knees and frantically trying to gain Wheeler's attention. Pointing to the roof, Wheeler watched awestruck as a familiar figure leapt from the canopy above and dived gracefully into the water without so much as a splash. Exhaling with relief, he grinned at Linka. "Kwame's here!" he whispered in her ear, nuzzling her nose with his own. Gaining no response, he pulled back before realising that she hadn't heard. Touching her cheek, he saw that she was unconscious, her skin cold and clammy.

"Oh shit, babe...... don't do this to me now!" He muttered, trying to rouse her as Kwame surfaced and tackled a surprised William into the water, desperately trying to grasp the rings from his unyielding fingers. Dragging her out of their hiding place, he quickly checked her pulse and breathing as Gi ran over.

"I'll watch her, Wheeler. Kwame needs your help." Upon seeing that William was holding Kwame's head underwater, Gi acted quickly a the American sprinted towards Kwame. "WATER!" She commanded, sending the three sprawling across the cavern just as the creature had advanced on them. Bellowing angrily, the creature now made its way in the direction the water had come from: Gi and Linka.

"Oh, crap." Gi commented rather too calmly as the blob faced them. Incredibly, it had almost doubled in size as it lurched towards them. "WAKE UP!" She hissed urgently, shaking Linka violently. "Ma-Ti, a little help!" She screeched wildly as the other captives sprung to help, including the young boys who Gi had assisted earlier.

"GIMME THE GOD-DAMN RINGS, YOU CRAZY BASTARD!" Wheeler swore, kneeing him in the stomach as Kwame tried wrenching the rings away. Three women ran to help, one jumping on William's back and linking her arms around his neck, effectively cutting off his intake of air. Choking, the villain punched elbowed Kwame hard before throwing the rings high into the air.

The moment seemed suspended in time. The Planeteers could only watch in horror as their remaining two weapons curved elegantly, almost surreally, landing in the water below. "So much for our team-beam," Wheeler commented angrily, watching William cheering triumphantly, pumping his fist into the air as the children swam in the direction the rings had landed.

"GLORY IS MINE!" He exclaimed hoarsely, grinning insanely. "Ah, shut the hell up." Wheeler fumed, before turning and taking out his fury and frustration on Plunder's offspring. Kwame and Ma-Ti moved immediately to pull him off as the young boys swam back to the shore. "We have bigger fish to fry, my friend."

Exhausted beyond comprehension, Ma-Ti felt a strange but familiar sensation flood his senses: his ring was calling him. Looking around, he watched in astonishment as the two young boys shouted out to them in Russian, frantically trying to get their attention.

"They find rings," translated a young Russian woman using broken English. A large gash on her forehead, she was attempting to help Gi rouse Linka while some of the workers gained the monster's attention. As two more men was taken by the beast (including a shocked, screaming William), the children handed the rings to Ma-Ti, who in turn slipped the ring on Linka's finger.

"She won't wake up" Gi stressed as the others caught up. "I have an idea, though..... Oy! Wake up you blonde, communist book-worm bimbo!" Gi screeched into Linka's face, gaining the desired effect as Linka opened her eyes and stared uncomprehendingly at her friend. "Sorry...." Gi reiterated in a small voice as Kwame started the proceedings.

"Then let our powers combine....Earth!"

"Fire!"

"Wind," Linka added, her voice barely audible.

"Water"

"Heart"

"RUN!" Yelled one of the kids as the creature came lumbering towards them, its bulk towering over them menacingly as its mouth swung down. Heaving Linka over his shoulder, Wheeler ran as fast as his legs would carry him, the two kids hot on their heels. As the others dispersed, Kwame tripped and fell, cursing miserably as he went down.

"KWAME, NO!" Gi stopped where she was, frozen at the sight as the blob bore down on her friend. As Kwame disappeared from view, Wheeler stopped and gently dropped Linka down to the ground before falling down beside her, shock and fear registering on their faces. Watching fearfully, Linka clasped her hands to her mouth as she silently began to cry. As Gi fell to her knees in dispair, Ma-Ti felt a surge of hope. The previously translucent creature was emitting a bright green light from every pore, and seemed to be suffering from a bad case of indigestion. Thrashing about, the creature seemed to quiver for a few moments, then gave an earth-shattering roar before exploding with a sickening squelch.

Remaining in the same spot was Captain Planet who had been shielding Kwame with his body. Picking him up, Cap immediately threw him into the water, beckoning for Gi and Ma-Ti to help.

"The Wrennox is largely made up of concentrated digestive juices. I don't think too much damage has been done. Keep washing him off, just to be certain." Hugging each grateful Planeteer in turn, he made a motion with his hands and sent the exhausted Russian captives into the air, swirling gently upwards and out of sight, some waving their thanks to the group remaining.

Cap turned and looked apprehensively in Wheeler's direction, currently cradling Linka in his arms and looking totally overwhelmed. Walking over, Cap placed his hand over her heart and sighed. Crouching down, he was face to face with the American as he issued his final instructions. Planet looked weary and in pain: It seemed that the Wrennox had severely depleted him

"I'll fly you all to the top of the canopy, then you're on your own. I have to deal with Ba'ra since Gaia is gone now, so this will probably be the last time we meet." A look of deep pain momentarily crossed his features, before he continued. "You need to get her to a hospital Wheeler, or she won't survive. Good luck, firebug."

Wheeler barely had time to register the words before he and the other Planeteers were scooped up and flown through the hole in the ceiling.

No sooner had they reached the canopy when Wheeler first noticed that something was dreadfully amiss. One of the little boys remained in the chamber, a terrified look on his face. As Gi stood up to question him, the boy was picked up by an unseen entity and flung towards the hole. In the chaos that followed, Wheeler realised what was happening: Ba'ra had been lying in wait, prepared and waiting for them. As Planet dashed to catch the boy, Ba'ra made his second move.

Flinging Gi out of his way, she hit the ground with a thud as the spirit launched himself at an unprepared Cap, sending them both crashing into the already unstable rock walls. As the pair continued to fight, Wheeler lost his grip on Linka as she was thrown several metres away towards the gaping hole. Panic overtook his senses as he caught glimpses of her lying crumpled on her side, eyes open and looking around in confusion.

Unfortunately, Ba'ra also noticed the disorientated planeteer and seized his chance. Grabbing her around the waist, he lifted her effortlessly and moved towards the hole, eying them with malicious intent. Smiling, he dangled her over the opening with one hand, ignoring her frightened cries and enjoying the effect it was having on the group. Cap moved forwards like lightning, but Ba'ra was prepared for this too. Shooting out his other arm, he made contact with Cap's face with frightening force, sending him plummeting head first into the wall again.

Linka watched in fear as Wheeler edged closer and closer to the fray. She was exhausted: the entity was throwing her around like a rag doll, but she refused to close her eyes for fear of not waking up. As a seriously depleted Cap grasped hold of her foot, Ba'ra released her unexpectedly. As Linka fell screaming through the opening, Cap retaining his hold and crashed to the ground, leaving the terrified Russian girl dangling upside down as the cavern began to fall apart. Large mounds of rock began falling from the platform on which they were standing: one whizzed past Linka's head, making a tumultuous splash below.

As shuddering sobs racked her body, she was jolted another foot downwards as Cap slid further into the abyss, unable to latch onto anything. Springing to help, Wheeler launched himself towards Cap's feet as Gi and Kwame attacked Ba'ra. They were no match, however as he sent them sprawling through the tunnel in which Kwame had entered earlier.

As Ma-Ti hid undetected in the shadows, Ba'ra turned and laughed, before kicking Wheeler viciously in the ribs. As the floor began to give way beneath them, Ma-Ti saw with anger that the spirit was peering over the side, taunting Linka and now heaving the three injured over the edge towards a certain death.

Watching Ba'ra standing threateningly over his friends, Ma-Ti made the decision in an instant. As if to confirm this, a warm purple glow manifested itself over Ba'ra's head. The haze seemed to spread, enveloping those on the ground who were too preoccupied too notice. As the last remaining essence of Gaia radiated throughout the chamber, Ma-Ti knew what had to be done.

As the floor began to fall away beneath them, the Planeteer of Heart threw himself at Ba'ra, catching the spirit unaware. Overbalancing, they toppled over the side together and plummeted ever downward, becoming indistinguishable from the debris that fell alongside and eventually, on top of them.

Partially re-energised by Gaia's radiating presence, Cap had silently clutched his charges tightly and flown through the narrow tunnel, enlarging it in order to fit. Dodging and blasting rogue rocks and boulders, he made it to the conveyor belt where Gi and Kwame had waited anxiously, their efforts to return hampered by the collapsing mine. Depositing all four of them into a tray, he swung around and returned in the direction he'd come.

Bruised, bleeding but alive, they began ascending, Linka's desperate sobs the only sound permeating the clunky mechanical gears.

"What happened? Where is Ma-Ti?" Kwame demanded as Gi looked on, dawning horror registering on her face.

In response, Wheeler shook his head tearfully and buried his face into Linka's neck, trying to comprehend the enormity of what they had witnessed.

Anyone see that one coming? I'm probably going to get flamed for that twist, but it was always how i envisioned the fic ending, so I'm not going to change it........ Chapter 11 will follow promptly, dealing with the aftermath/recovery and then I will add an epilogue. I hope you guys like the fic so far: I can get a little dark and gloomy occasionally, but there will be a light at the end of The Tunnel (pardon the pun!).

Regards, Sarah.