Chapter 6: Rescue

They arrived at the building. Cap touched down and waited for the Geo-Cruiser to land. "You wait here Planeteers," he told them as they joined him.

"You sure you want to go in alone?" Gi asked.

The eco-hero nodded. He felt he was responsible for Kim getting caught so he wanted to get her out, too. Even if it was a trap. He would stubbornly hold firm even if they had tried to accompany him. Cap did know he was taking a risk by going alone but he had complete faith in his friends that they would come to his assistance if and when he needed them.

Cap walked to the door. "Hmm, on second thought…" He took a couple of steps back and looked up. "I think I'll pay Plunder a visit and ask for directions to Blight's lab." The superhero jumped in the air and in a few seconds was level with Plunder's office window. He peered in and saw Plunder sitting at his desk, reading some papers. Cap grinned and crashed in through the window.

Plunder started and hastily shielded himself from the glass. "Don't you know how to use a door?"

"Oh, sorry about that." In truth, he wasn't sorry at all. "Just thought I'd drop in for a visit."

Plunder regained his composure and straightened his tie a bit. "So, what brings you here?"

"Drop the act, Plunder," Cap leaned forward, his hands on the table. "You know very well why I'm here. The lab. Where is it?"

His shortness was a surprise for Plunder. The man was used to a more easy-going Captain Planet. "How did you…?"

"Never mind how I know," the superhero interrupted and took a hold of Plunder's suit collar. "I'm gonna ask you one more time. Where is her lab?"

He didn't remember the superhero ever being like this and thought it best to give him the information he wanted. "Uh… one floor down. I-it's a metal door with a sign that says LAB 1."

"Thanks. I'm sure I'll find it." Cap released the man and marched to the door and almost took it off its hinges when he threw it open.

"Hey!" Plunder exclaimed, although he knew the door could be repaired in no time.

It didn't take long for him to locate the right door. He listened for a while. "I don't like this," Cap mumbled. "It's too quiet."

The eco-hero tried the door. Finding it locked he grunted and tore through the metal door like it was paper. The first thing he saw was Kim. Her head drooped over her chest. She was tied up in a chair.

Cap looked around the room and caught sight of Blight. She leaned on MAL casually.

"We've been waiting for you," the computer said.

"I'm sure you have," Cap said.

"Go ahead," Blight said. "Free your girlfriend. That's what you came here for, isn't it?"

Cautiously he walked over to Kim, all the while glancing around him for hidden traps. 'This is too easy,' he thought. Cap raised Kim's head by the chin gently. She had a gag in her mouth and her eyes were closed. 'Is it my imagination or does her skin feel harder than it should?' He removed the gag and tried to wake her up.

Blight grinned and pushed a button on a devise she had in her hand. As the superhero watched, Kim's, or what he had thought to be Kim, eyes opened. They were glowing and judging from the effect it had on him, it was radiation. Cap took a couple of steps back. It didn't matter which way he went; the eyes followed his every move.

"How do you like my new invention, Planet?" Blight wanted to know.

"Can't say I like it much," the superhero grunted. "Doesn't even look like her, really." And yet it had fooled him.

Blight shrugged. "Well, it worked, didn't it?" Cap opted not to answer that, berating himself silently, wondering where the real Kim was. He went to one knee.

Outside, Ma-Ti alerted the others that the superhero needed help. Thanks to the mental link the Kayapo had with Cap, they didn't have any trouble in locating the lab. And the torn door was a big clue, too. Wheeler was the first one to enter the room, with Kwame not far behind.

"What took you so long?" Cap asked, grimacing. "Could you please do something about those eyes?"

Kwame spotted a rag on the nearby table. "This will do for now," he said and put the rag over the eyes.

"Thanks, Kwame," Cap said gratefully. Wheeler helped him to stand up. "Where is she, Blight?"

A banging sound could be heard. And a faint voice shouting, "Let me out of here!"

Despite that, Cap could tell who it was. Finding the strength from somewhere, he snatched the control devise from Blight, throwing it to the Planeteers. "Here, catch." Then he went to the door. "Watch them," he told the five, meaning the woman and computer both, and yanked the door open.

As the door was opened and Kim saw who stood there, she threw herself on him with a squeal of joy, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you."

Cap wasn't prepared for that and he took a couple of steps back until he could steady himself. "Easy, girl. I'm glad to see you too but I'm not at my best right now."

Kim looked up at him. "You really don't look so good. What happened?" She hadn't been let in on the plan, naturally.

Cap indicated the robot. "That and radiation."

Linka, who had the control devise, pushed a button on it. The robot's head slumped.

Gi checked if it really was off. "That took care of that."

Blight tried to make a run for it but Cap grabbed her by the scruff of the neck. "Going somewhere, Blight?" She tried to get free, but his hold held.

"Another plan down the tubes," MAL commented.

Cap found some rope and sat Blight down on a chair, tying her up. "I believe that wraps it up. Let's get outta here. And if you so much as squeak, MAL, I'll introduce you to some more H²O," he warned MAL. The computer sweatdropped and kept quiet. "That's what I thought."

As they got to the elevators, Kwame looked at Cap and asked, "Are you alright, Captain Planet?" His concern was obvious.

He had to admit he wouldn't be able to get very far, thanks to the radiation. Twice in one day… "Not really but I can make it." The superhero put an arm around Kim's shoulders, as much to support him as have her close to him. "I just can't believe I mistook that bucket of bolts for you."

"I do remember you saying something about 'careful being my middle name'," Kim reminded him.

What a mess that had turned out to be. "I did say that, didn't I?"

Kim smiled and gave him a kiss, not wanting to dwell on it. "Thank you for coming for me."

Cap smiled. "Anytime, love."

"What was that about H²O back there, by the way?" she wanted to know.

"Let's just say MAL has experience of water getting into his systems," he replied with a wink. "I wouldn't have been able to do anything of the sort, really."

"You could have if you…" Wheeler began.

"…if I had been more careful," the superhero finished, rolling his eyes. "I know. You don't have to rub it in."

Kim looked at him with concern. "You really should go and get your strength back."

"I know and I will," Cap assured her. "Once we get out of this elevator."

Pretty soon the floor indicator told them that they were at the desired floor. They exited the elevator. Cap could hardly stay on his feet. He asked the Planeteers to bring the woman back to the cabin safely. The five assured him they would.

The superhero smiled at Kim. "See ya later. The power is yours!" He did his thing and the powers returned to the rings.

The six had taken only a few steps when a shot rang out.