Chasing Greedly and Plunder

The next morning, as the sun begins to rise, Ma-Ti slowly stands from his resting place and rubs his eyes.

"Suchi, this is not home. Where have the spirits taken us?"

The young boy wearing only a simple loincloth, and a beautiful necklace slowly walks along the shore, looking at the blue sparkling waters, and listening to the mysterious calls of birds he has never heard before. Underfoot, the sand is warm, soft, and powdery. Quietly he approaches a simple round hut, but not like the ones he knows from home. For a moment he pauses. Suddenly, behind him there are footsteps and chatter. Turning to look, a strange group of young people meets around the spot where he stands. From their looks and clothes, they come from all over the world. One tall, African man wears a long beige tunic and a beautiful necklace, along with flip flops. There is a woman in a wetsuit, as if she just came from the beach. Behind them is a teen and high tops, jeans, and a ball cap, walking beside a young woman with a blond ponytail.

"Welcome to Hope Island!" Gaia says, slowly coming towards them, her dress blowing in the wind.

As she comes down the beach, Ma-Ti gets to his knees and lowers his head in silent respect.

"Hey, where are we and what is this all about?" The red-headed teen in the ball cap asks. "Are you supposed to be a princess or something?"

"No, my name is Gaia, and I need you to help me keep Earth alive. I am the spirit of Earth. Some call me Mother Nature or other similar names." She says softly, leading them into a cave made of crystal. "Come Ma-Ti, there is work to be done. Our world is dying, and this is the last chance to save it. After a lot of thought, I chose the five of you to start the change."

With a nod, he slowly gets to his feet, and walks silently behind her and the rest of the planeteers.

As they enter the cave, the blond-headed girl asks. "What can we do here, that we weren't doing at our homes? How do we help?"

Quietly she motions to them to follow her into a crystal cave where the air is warm and sweet.

"You are special members of your generation. With time and practice, the five of you will lead the change that is needed to restore this world. The journey will be hard, so I have gifted each of you with the ability to control and use one of the five core powers of nature, to a limited degree." Gaia says, rubbing her chin. "For example, Linka, you control the power of wind. To use it, point your ring and say 'Wind'. Go ahead, try it!"

Linka points her ring and says "Well, alright. Wind!"

Before everyone's eyes, a great whirlwind appears and lifts her off the ground, moving her a few feet before dropping her. As she rubs her back, Gaia moves onto to another. One by one each of the planeteers is introduced to his, or her power. Finally, they come to Ma-Ti, who hasn't said anything the whole time.

"I know this ring. It is the power of heart." Ma-Ti says softly, a tear rolling down his cheek. "I can sense you all and share your feelings. The animals know me, and I can talk to them. Long ago, my grandfather showed me a gift like this. This ring can bring the gift of healing if I learn how to use it. Thank you Mother Earth spirit for such a powerful gift; I will pray that I am humble and wise enough to use this correctly."

"I know you will be, Ma-Ti, that is why I wanted you. You five are my team now. This team needs a heart, a spiritual voice that calls to something deeper. Ma-Ti, that is your job." Gaia says, making new outfits with matching shirts with planet logos, cargo shorts, and vests, and high-top tennis appear. "Go suit up, we have work to do!"

A few minutes later, they return. Gaia touches the crystal wall. Before them it turns into a scene of broken trees, burning trash and dying animals. They watch in horror as crystal clear blue waters turn a murky brown.

"The Amazon is being attacked by the evil Hoggish Greedly, and his partner, Looten Plunder. Under this forest is gold, and they will stop at nothing to get it!" Gaia says, as more images of the destruction flash before their eyes. "This rain forest is home to some of the rarest plants and animals on Earth. If they die, they will be gone forever. There are also people living here."

Ma-Ti begins to cry, shaking.

"Relax little buddy, it's probably an undiscovered culture!" Wheeler says jokingly.

"Wheeler, I know this place. This is my home." Ma-Ti says in tears. "The hut I share with my grandfather is just on the other side of those trees. I may lose the only family I have ever had."

"Well, then we need to go!" Gi says, running for the door. "We can't save Ma-Ti's grandfather by standing here talking."

Soon, the five of them reach a strange yellow plane on the far side of the island and begin to climb in. Ma-Ti's planeteer outfit looks a little different, with a sky blue Planeteer sleeveless shirt (with a green globe emblem on it, much like Kwame's does) under a khaki vest, a black belt, brown shorts, and bare feet. He also wears two armbands on each arm, one of which has two red, yellow, and green feathers, and two blue necklaces and a blue neckpiece around his neck. Everyone hurries inside and straps in.

"Hold on everyone!"

Ma-Ti holds Suchi close, stroking his head and back so he stays calm.

"Hey, where did you get him?" Wheeler asks. "He's kinda cool!"

Ma-Ti smiles and speaks softly. "This is my friend Suchi, he is an orphan spider monkey. I take care of him."

"You didn't grab your sneakers?" Linka asks.

He shakes his head. "Linka, my people do not wear shoes. The Earth is a living entity, and it is disrespectful to trample on her. I had never seen shoes until I got to Hope Island. I wish to honor the teachings of my grandfather and remain barefoot."

"Ma-Ti, I am glad to see you keep your people's spiritual ways. If bare feet feel right to you, you should go barefoot. I will support your choice to honor your people's teaching, my friend." Kwame adds. "Right now, we need to get ready to save this forest! Linka, get us in the air!"

With the whorl of engines, the Geo-cruiser hums to life and rockets into the air.

As they fly over South America's Rain Forest, the planeteers chat and share stories. Kwame looks over to see Ma-Ti staring listlessly from the window. Quietly, he switches seats.

"What is it that bothers you?" He asks quietly.

Slowly the youngest Planeteer looks up, then sighs. "I feel something that I do not understand. Something we could not see is happening down there. There is danger here. Back home, I could always go to my grandfather when I needed someone."

"We are right here. Once we get to the forest, we will find him."

Gi shakes her head. "I know the feeling. I wish Gaia could be here."

"She is with us." Ma-Ti answers. "Watch this. Heart!"

His ring glows for a moment, then Gaia's face appears in the clouds smiling at them. Softly, she speaks.

"Planeteers, I will always be with you. You can call anytime you need me, or my advice."

"What do we do if we cannot handle a situation?" Kwame asks.

"Combine your powers, and help will come to you." Gaia replied. "Keep the faith young ones, you are fighting for the good of the whole world. The rings will help you, but the real power to make change is inside you. The Power, is yours!"

"Coming in fast!" Linka says, sweeping the wings on the Geo-Cruiser, and putting it into a dive.

Dropping through the clouds, a giant metal platform spewing smoke and loud rumbling noises appears in the distance, cutting into a river bank, as thick, goopy liquid pours into the river. Crack! The sound of enormous trees breaking, causes everyone on board to peer out.

"That must be Greedly and Plunder!" Wheeler says, pointing to the rig.

"Quick, land on the back of that rig!" Kwame says. "We need to get in there fast and stop the destruction."

"You got it!" Linka says, turning towards the platform.

As the geo-cruiser dives towards the rig, a giant robotic arm with a nozzle pops up. Whoosh! They are shook violently, as a thick, black tar-like liquid hits them, covering the windows. Linka pulls back on the controls with all of her strength, but nothing happens. Quickly, the falling geo-cruiser picks up speed. Suddenly, it begins to spin in flight.

"The controls are jammed; we're going to crash!" Gi cries out.

"Hold on everybody!" Kwame yells.

The sound of Suchi screeching fills the air, as he clings to Ma-Ti in panic!