InterLUDE: A Quest of Rings
By THE Xenomorph
Disclaimer: I own only Perfection and Wraith.
DigitalMan and K2 are © My close friend.
Everything else is copyrighted to their correct owner.
Universe: Spliced-Verse
United
"I can't believe it..." Wheeler was smiling as the Planeteers finally arrived back at Hope Island. He gawked at the way the crystals on the island had formed an almost perfect multi-story home, research center and recovery center for any animals they might need to care for.
"It is beautiful." Linka gasped in awe.
"But Gaia has still not returned." Kwame said grimly.
"I think I know why." Gi said. "Lets get everyone in the new crystal chamber." Gi jumped off the helicopter that Wild Bill had brought them in.
"I will get Larry, he wanted to stay behind earlier." Ma-ti said.
Ma-ti ran quickly to his friend and found Rina was already there pacing and growling. He stopped moving and Suichi who had stayed with Larry jumped from Larry to Ma-ti in a very excited manner.
"I told her about my vision." Larry moaned. "Now she's going into some sort of berserker protective mode."
"Rina." Ma-ti smiled as he put her hand on his shoulder and interrupted her rant. She instantly calmed and faced him. "You don't have to worry about it. If I have to die to save a friend, I will."
"But then all your friends will miss you. They'll be in pain and I don't like my friends in pain." Rina snarled. "I won't let that cloth excuse for a reaper take you." It was a calm and bold statement.
"We can all talk about that later, but right now we have to got the crystal chamber." Ma-ti smiled. "By the way how did you get here so fast?"
"Take a guess..." Rina said as Xi decloaked in the corner, ran up to Ma-ti and hugged him closely.
"I too will fight to keep you here." Xi said.
"Let's just go to the crystal chamber for now, ok?" Ma-ti struggled to free himself.
"All right." Xi agreed as he released Ma-ti.
"You're just some sort of friend magnet your realize that right?" Larry smiled.
"I'm easy to get along with." Ma-ti said.
"I had another vision..." Larry's voice rang in his head lightly. "I don't understand it, but you didn't die this time and that weird kid was standing right next to you."
"Maybe the team needed their powers back..." Ma-ti thought back in response.
"Who knows." Larry admitted, and he smiled at the thought.
Soon everyone that was either visiting or living on New Hope Island were gathered in the large and improved Crystal Chamber, which Wheeler had dubbed the Crystal Nexus. There were even some new faces as Professor Xavier had invited the Fantastic Four to help understand the crystal structure and to meet the Planeteers.
"Ok Gi, what's up. Where's Gaia?" Lance asked.
"Yeah that's what I wanna know too." Toad said as he sat next to Althea and Xi.
"She's all around us." Gi said, repeating Leviathan's words. "I think we need to use our rings on that crystal." Gi pointed to a large crystal stalagmite that was poking out of the ground.
"It's worth a try." Wheeler shrugged. "Start us off fearless leader." He playfully slapped Kwame on the back.
"Indeed." Kwame took a deep breathe and spoke. "Let our powers and spirits combine." He leveled his ring at the crystal. "Golem of Earth!" The green beam that represented his powers leaped forward and one fourth of the crystal became solid rock. The tip remained unchanged.
"Agni of Fire!" Wheeler held his ring over his other arm like he would hold a shotgun and fired the red beam. On fourth of the crystal became a blazing inferno. The tip still remained unchanged.
"Ariel of Wind!" Linka let her beam of azure energy collide with the crystal and mist began to roll down on fourth of it's face. The tip was still the same.
"Leviathan of Water!" Gi shouted as her ring shot out a blue beam and one fourth of the crystal became solid ice with water at the bottom.
Ma-ti froze for a second, he knew what the top was for as did everyone else. It was reserved for his power, but he had no spirit to combine. So he could only say one thing. "Heart." As soon as it was spoken the entire island shook and then settled, The crystal had changed during the quick shaking and it now stood before all in the room as a giant crystal globe.
"Ok..." Wheeler looked around. "I don't see Gaia."
"Look again Wheeler." Gaia's voice rang from with in the globe as the spirit of the Earth once again materialized. Only know she wasn't middle aged or even recognizable. She know looked like a twelve year old girl.
"Ok, I'm creeped out here. That little girl sounds like just like..." Johnny Storm was interrupted by The Thing slapping him in the head. "Ow!"
"Gaia!" The room rang out in joyous surprise.
"Hello again, it is good to see you all again." She paused as she looked at her body and smiled. She quickly changed to her usual form and walked over to the Planeteers. "My friends, my guardians." Her smile held a somber look. "Today is the last day I shall ever take form on this world."
The Planeteers looked as if someone had put a knife through their heart. She above even Kwame was their guiding light and know she was telling them that she was leaving them. Ma-ti started to cry, Gi as well.
"I cannot keep my form in this new world, the power required is just to great." She turned to another in the room, Kezqua, and smiled. "Would you guide them, help them when their hearts grow weak and when their wills are shattered."
Kezqua, relatively a new person to everyone on the entire island. A person that SHIELD, GI Joe and even Xavier had questions for, a wanted ex-Cobra Criminal and early morning grouch. This mutated man did not even blink when he said in all seriousness. "I'll do my best, but I'm only mortal."
"Thank you." Gaia smiled as the island shook once more. "Let this island then, once again live and flourish. Go see..." Gaia pointed to the coastline as grasses and trees sprouted. The entirety of the room made their way outside save for the Planeteers and Kezqua.
"Gaia..." Wheeler was plainly distraught.
"No Wheeler, there is nothing you can do." Gaia smiled as she gave all her chosen guardians a loving hug and kiss. "Keep the spirits well, and keep your hearts bright." The Planeteers were astonished to see tears filling in her eyes as she began to fade. "Goodbye children..."
"Gaia!" Linka dove for Gaia, but passed through her fading form. Kezqua quietly walked over and helped Wheeler pull her sobbing form up.
"We are all alone now." Linka sobbed.
"No we are not." Kwame's face had quickly become determined. "We have each other and our friends." He knelt down to face Linka, "And that is all we need, but we will still miss her."
"I don't think we have to..." Ma-ti said. "I think I understand what Gi said."
"She's all around us..." Gi touched the crystals that made up the Nexus and she instantly felt the comforting warmth of Gaia's love.
"She didn't leave us Linka." Wheeler held her close. "She's everywhere now, we just have open our heart to her."
"And defend them." A rare steeled look came over Ma-ti. "I'm not going to let the heartless hurt you my friends."
"Ma-ti!" Kezqua shouted, Ma-ti gave a startled look at him. "It is not just your battle. We will all fight. Casualties will be a part of life, but we will fight with hope in our hearts. That will be our most powerful weapon."
"GUYS!" Toad shouted from outside, "YOUR CRAZY VILLAINS ARE ON THE BEACH!"
"Oh good..." Wheeler smiled, "I was hoping to introduce the rest of them to Agni..."
"Down Wheeler." Kwame smiled, "I call Plunder first."
The whole team laughed as they walked out to face the Eco-Villains.