Disclaimer: I do not own Captain Planet, its characters, themes, etc. If I did, Wheeler would have a name just like everyone else.
Chapter 1: Dinosaurs and Schemes
"Ok, who ordered popcorn?" asked William with a smile, making his way into the spacious living room hosting the other four Planeteers, an overflowing bowl of popcorn in hand.
"Over here!" came the reply from Gi, as she joyously took the bowl he was offering her. William stole a handful of popcorn before comfortably settling on his favorite reclining chair.
"I love Jurassic Park!" added Gi through a mouthful of popcorn.
"The first time I watched it, I had nightmares for a week!" exclaimed Ma-Ti, the youngest member of the group.
"What are you so afraid of? If you ever encounter one of those bad boys all you have to do is zap it with your heart ring and you guys will be friends in no time. I can see it now, having tea on the banks of the river!"
"Very funny, Will," Ma-Ti rolled his eyes as the room came alive with a chuckle.
"Speaking of zapping things," Kwame joined in, folding his hands behind his head. "Were you not using your ring to melt toy soldiers this morning?"
"Heh heh…" William blushed a little, causing Gi and Ma-Ti to burst into a hearty laugh.
"You really should not use your ring as a toy, William," interjected Linka, her words caressed by a Russian accent, as a frown appeared on her face.
"Ah, lighten up, babe," smiled William mischievously. "I just wanted to see if those soldiers could stand the heat."
Gi giggled at his bad pun and Linka sent a malicious look in her direction. Gi feigned seriousness and was relieved when Ma-Ti told everyone to hush up since the movie was starting.
Kwame, Linka, and Ma-Ti were concentrating on the movie, but when Gi stole a peek at William, his attention was focused on Linka. His expression was unreadable, his eyes blank of any emotion. Gi knew full well of the American's fondness for the Russian beauty. She examined his profile in the dim lighting of the room and was once more amazed at the change she saw in William. When they had first met, she had not thought much of William's physical appearance, perhaps because he had resembled an ordinary American teenage boy, in no way exceptionally good-looking. In his early twenties now, William was developing into quite a handsome man, if Gi could say so herself. His trademark red hair was cut shorter, his eyes were a beautiful clear blue often sparkling with vitality, and his face had acquired a nice tan from all the surfing he practiced on Hope Island. He had grown taller still and definitely more muscular. His chest and shoulders had gained a very attractive broadness, and his smile was charming enough to elicit the attention of passerby females.
He may be like my big brother, but even I can't deny that William is turning into a babe, thought Gi with a secretive smirk. Not to mention the unique personality that completed the package. William was, well, a handful. He had a joke for every situation, was rarely serious about anything, and loved having fun (sometimes at the expenses of others, since he could be quite the practical joker). His emotions were often depicted on his face, something that worked both for and against him. Out of the five Planeteers, William was probably the most genuine, open, and generous. Not to mention stubborn and direct, added Gi silently. She recalled how, on their last intervention, he had fearlessly made his way inside a burning house (against the others' desperate pleas) to save two young children trapped inside. Upon his return, Gi had not known whether to smack him upside the head for his carelessness or cry tears of relief. He had been coughing violently from the smoke as she had cared for the burn on his right bicep. William's first instincts were from the heart, always, and Gi sometimes wondered why he had not inherited the heart ring. She knew that Ma-Ti was the rightful owner of the ring and that William adequately characterized his fire ring - from his red hair to his spontaneity (much like spontaneous combustions!) - but despite his best efforts to hide it, William was very sensitive and cared deeply for people. This was true especially of a particular blonde who was sitting next to her, engrossed in the film.
Linka was Gi's best friend in the group and the Asian Planeteer was thankful that there was another female to share in this experience with her. Linka's blonde hair, jade eyes, rose-kissed pouty lips, clear complexion and generous curves proclaimed her a beauty in every sense of the word. Often, when Gi was in public with her, random men would come up to Linka and try to win her attention, much to Linka's annoyance. While Gi deemed herself boy-crazy and flirty, Linka differed considerably. There European Planeteer was much more interested in science textbooks, computer codes, and animals. Linka was often serious and analytical of things, rationalizing her way through life. Even though younger by a couple of years than William, Linka had an air of maturity about her that was as evident as the stars on a clear evening on Hope Island. Gi was amazed at how different William and Linka seemed, almost as polarized as their two native lands. Linka's introversive nature clashed with William's extroversive one, often with lively arguments between the two. Gi knew that Linka cared for William, but his direct ways and constant attention confused her bearings. She would retrieve in her shell and the fiery Planeteer would be hurt by her cold mannerism, storming off in the process and broken inside.
William noticed that Gi was staring at him intently in thought, and when his eyes moved from Linka's face to hers, she raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner. He shrugged and turned on the on screen drama, but Gi continued to be distracted. There has to be a way for those two to somehow come together and confess their love for one another, she reflected, furrowing her brows together. It tore at her heart to see William so desolate and Linka trying to hide behind a veil of indifference when they could bring so much to each other's lives. What I need is a plan, mused Gi, analyzing the bowl of popcorn in her lap as if it contained all the answers. Linka just needs to realize how much William adores her and become more comfortable with him; how hard can it be, really?
Gi smiled as new plans started to take shape in her mind.