There Is a Sky part 4

Beautiful Earth

        If any self-respecting scientist had ever been there, they would most certainly say that Hope Island was the most impossible, if not beautiful, landmass on the planet. Impossible in the way that every single habitat, landform, and biome that ever existed on the earth could be found on that one, seemly, tiny island. The marvel of it all had never been wasted on the Planeteers; even living on that paradise for over two years did not diminish appreciation for its pristine countryside.
        But when an unknown force clouds your vision, one’s admiration for such things declines. Thus Ma-Ti came to Gaia for counsel.

        The others were out, surprisingly enough, grocery shopping. Apparently Kwame had miscalculated the amount that Wheeler could consume in one week. Linka and Gi where not too pleased with that turn of events, and demanded to go along. Kwame tagged along also, but mainly as a peacemaker. Ma-Ti remembered the dialogue well.

        “What do you mean we only have three cans of tuna left?!” snapped a very unhappy and hungry Gi. “What happened to all the other stuff, like the chips and cookies?”
        “Uhhh…” Wheeler began.
        “You ate it all? The was supposed to last us for at least three more days!”
        The self-proclaimed fire hazard whined a bit. “I’m sorry Gi, but I was hungry…”
        “Well, Yankee, so are the rest of us,” sputtered Linka. “And what are you going to do about it?”
        Wheeler thought about it. “Umm…throw up? Listen, I don’t know, I’m broke! I can’t do anything about it!”
        Gi fumed. “Well, I’m sick and tired of footing the bill every time we all need something!”
        Wheeler snorted. “You’re rich; why should you worry?”
        “Says you, bottomless pit!”
        Wheeler looked a little angry.
        “Oh yeah, you know those three cans of tuna? Well honey, they ain’t dolphin safe!”
        The small Asian Planeteer looked like she was about to explode. The redhead bit his lip and took a careful step backward…
        “GUYS!” All present looked up. Kwame glared at the combatants. “Lets…just…go…to…the…store.” There was a moment of silence.

        “Oh”.

        Kwame sighed. “I’ll fly.”

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         Ma-Ti shook his head. As much as he liked his friends, he really wanted them to leave; this was something he and Gaia needed to handle alone. Plus, Gi’s shrill angry voice was really getting bothersome.
        The gentle roars of tiny waves striking the beach followed him into the hut where the Crystal chamber lay. His feet tracked in the damp sand that he had gathered on the way, leaving a trail of tan grains that the wind would eventually blow away.
        Don't you wish we could?
        Ma-Ti froze. That voice…
        “Who are you?”
        Silence.
        “Who are you?!”
        He did not get an answer. The whisper was blown away before it was said.
        The Spirit of the Earth entered the chamber, after him.
        “Ma-Ti?” Gaia questioned concernedly. “Is it…”
        “Yes,” he cut her off. “Once again.” Shaking his head, he continued in a meek voice, “It won’t go away. I feel like I’m going crazy.”
        She sighed wearily. “No, Ma-Ti, you’re not losing your mind. However, I fear there is more at stake than just your sanity…”
        “Please tell me what it is, then.” He gazed pleadingly at Gaia. She shrugged sadly, yet she tried to explain what demons had suddenly desired to take root in the little Planeteer’s head.
        Gaia spoke.
        “When I gave you and your friends your respective rings, I did it with the utmost scrutiny; I tried to choose the best power for each of you.” She paused, and smiled. “Did you know, for a while Kwame was a candidate for Heart.” Ma-Ti looked surprised, and shook his head. “Even though all of you are different, you are all very much the same. You, Gi, Linka, Kwame, and Wheeler all have varying degrees of Heart’s empathic powers; Kwame is closest to you, and Gi is the furthest. The most sensitive is you, Ma-Ti. It took some searching, but you won out on the final selection.”
        Ma-Ti looked at Gaia, mystified. “But how does that explain what happening with me and that odd behavior with the others today?”
        Gaia continued.
        “Your rings all enable you to sense the emotions of others, to some degree. It purely depends on the bearer. One of the most difficult emotions to detect is anguish. For instance, Gi happens to be incapable of perceiving that; all she can receive is anger from her ring. Only you, and Kwame to a limited degree, can discern anguish. Linka and Wheeler both have the same types of perception; both recognize fear and sorrow unusally well.”
        She shrugged. “I don’t know why, but you seem to be receiving hate also.”
        “But from where?” Ma-Ti exclaimed, with a bit of frustration in his voice. “Can we stop this?”
        Gaia nodded. “I have a general location where these happenings might be coming from…but…”
        “But what?”
        Frowning, she continued. “I don’t know exactly where, what or who is causing this. I don’t know why. All I can give you is what I know. You’ll have to go from there.”
        Sighing, the little Planeteer turned away. She put a hand on his shoulder.
        “I’m sorry.”
        He stared at the floor.
        The sand had blown away.

Part 5