Hope Island
Early the next morning, under a cool mist, they set out following the Shaman into the thick forest up towards the mountain. The light fog makes the trails harder to see as they walk. At times, the trails are steep and slippery.
"Again!" Wheeler gripes, climbing over a log with his backpack on.
"I told you this wouldn't be a pleasure trip, Wheeler. Maybe if you had gotten some sleep instead of trying to flirt with the girls." Kwame replies.
"Well, I'll settle for Linka, she's one hot chick!" Wheeler says. "How about it?"
"Niet! Once again you rush into something without thinking." Linka replies.
Everyone laughs. Then the Shaman motions to them to get down. Quickly they all hide behind the bushes. Growl! The sound of a jaguar fills the air. Slowly Wheeler looks out as a large orange cat with black spots roams down the trail.
"A jaguar, what is he angry about?" Wheeler asks.
"He is hunting, and we are in his territory." Ma-Ti says softly. "When you live here, it pays to know who lives around you."
Wheeler slowly pokes his head out, then looks around quietly. "We don't have those in New York."
After a moment, the big cat disappears into the bushes. Slowly they all stand up and walk back out onto the trail.
"This isn't a city, Wheeler. You're in the middle of the Amazon." Gi says with a chuckle.
They walk a little further and turn into a narrow trail, starting up hill. Coming to a stream, Jose and Ma-Ti pause for a moment. Kneeling, Ma-Ti peers in.
"It's not too deep, and it's moving slowly." He says. "If we are careful, we should be able to walk through it."
The Shaman walks up beside him and looks for a moment. "Good, you read these well. Come, follow me everyone."
Carefully, one at a time, the Planeteers cross the river. Once everyone is safe on the other side, they check their gear and hike onwards. Pausing they take one last look at the remains of the compound where Greedly and Plunder ran their mining operation from. Wheeler, Gi and Linka run up to the fence where a crowd of people has gathered.
"We finally won! Greedly and Plunder are gone for good!" A man yells, causing everyone to cheer. "Now we will have drinking water again."
Among the crowd is a familiar woman they saw once before.
"Mama!" Jose calls out running over to her and hugging her tightly.
"Jose, we finally got rid of this place. This is what being an environmentalist is about. I know it was hard for you, but standing for the right thing always is, my son." She says. "Think about it. Are you ready to keep going?"
The young boy nods and wipes his eyes. "I found someone who knew papa and his friend Chico."
The lady looks at her son with surprise, then up at the planeteers. Slowly Ma-Ti walked a little closer.
"Son, Chico lived in the rainforest. Very few people even know where his village was." She replies. "Why does your friend think he knew about Chico?"
Quietly Ma-Ti comes forward, wiping his eye, he looks up at the lady. She gazes at him in wonder.
"Chico was a Kayapo, but you look like you could be his son!"
"Yes Ma'am, I am." Ma-Ti answers. "My name is Ma-Ti, and Chico was my dad."
"Mom, this is my chance. I want to go with Ma-Ti and do what papa did. Please!"
For a moment, the mother and son look at each other. Slowly, she smiles. "If this is where your heart is, go and fight for our forests and rivers. Remember what I taught you, and do not stop."
"Olè!" Jose yells, jumping and waving his hands with excitement.
After a few goodbyes and a last hug, Jose joins his new friends, and climbs into the Geo-Cruiser. With the hum of engines they quickly take to the sky and turn for the coast. Ma-Ti sits in the back carefully rubbing Suchi. The tiny monkey begins to chatter, drawing Jose's attention
"What kind of monkey is that?" Jose asks, looking over at him.
"Suchi is a spider monkey, I met this little guy in a tree near my home." Ma-Ti says quietly. "I take care of him, and he keeps me company."
Later, on Hope Island, the six of them return to the Chrystal chamber, where Gaia appears. Quietly they sit in a semi-circle around her. Her face beams with pride as she looks upon them.
"Planeteers, this was a great success. Not only did you stop Plunder and Greedly, but you also learned how to be a team. Saving our planet will take everyone doing their part." Gaia explains. "Remember what you have learned, for you will need it again soon."
"Alright!" Wheeler says excitedly, holding his hand up. "This is rad."
Gaia chuckles, and everyone begin to laugh. Ma-Ti wipes a tear from his eye and sighs.
Kwame moves a bit closer and put an arm around him. "Ma-Ti, thank you my friend. Without you, we could never have found the Kayapo people. Their knowledge allowed us to find and stop Plunder and Greedly."
"Thank you all for helping to save my home and my grandfather. He is the only family I have left."
"I think we all learned something about family and friendship." Gi adds. "We really can make a difference if we stick together."
Jose slowly pulls his amulet out and looks at it in wonder. With a smile, Gaia walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder. Now it begins to glow and pulse with warm energy.
"You Jose, are the sixth planeteer on this team. When I started, I knew I needed young people to help me save Earth. The amulet is the power of life, a gift to renew. I hand-picked each member of my team because of your love for the Earth and your willingness to change for everyone's good." Gaia says. "The rings are only tools to help in your fight, for you have the true powers you each need inside you. On the side of good, you are now a team, forever linked."
The room erupts in clapping, high-fives and enthusiastic cheering as Jose stands and walks over to pick up his planeteer t-shirt with a grin on his face.
"Outstanding!" Kwame says, walking up and patting him on the back.
Jose takes a deep breath, as he walks over to the window and gazes out at the beach below with a warm smile. "Thank you for letting me join. This is what I want to do, make a difference that will last. Papa made the world better, and now I will have a chance to do the same."
"You are making a difference." Ma-Ti replies approaching him with a smile. "Welcome my friend!"
Linka walks to the door and steps outside into the sunshine, watching the birds circle over the island and the nearby sea. Slowly the others join her, watching the beauty and grace of the sea birds. Casually, Jose wanders down towards the beach. Wheeler follows closely.
"Hey Jose, if you want, you can have the extra pair of sneakers in the hut."
He looks back and laughs, "No thanks Wheeler; I spent all my time at home trying to get out of wearing shoes. Finally I have a good reason not to wear any."
"Well, suit yourself." He says, turning back to Ma-Ti, who is over on the corner hanging up a hammock. "I'm gonna go catch some surf. Little buddy, want to catch some waves with me? We can show off for the chicks!"
Ma-Ti lays in the hammock and kicks his feet up. With a yawn, he rubs his eyes and replies with a yawn. "No thanks, Wheeler, right now I want to catch some C's."
"I think you mean Z's, little buddy." Wheeler says softly. "Pleasant dreams, Ma-Ti."
Everyone chuckles as he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.
