The Nuclear Winter

[Talisen Phoenix]

The World was in peril.

Gaia the spirit of the earth could no longer take the terrible destruction plaguing her planet.

Gaia had always watched the earth, pushed here and there, created life and took it away when necessary, but man continued to grow and grow and grow, her world was no longer her own, she felt every inch of the earth call out in terrible pain, every time a shovel was shoved into the earth, or a machine drill deep into the earths face, Gaia felt it. Gaia was unable to intervene, while her powers were just as strong as ever, the earth's pain was enough to confuse Gaia, drain her physically and emotionally. She was a god yes, but no longer could she perch above her creation and watch in peace.

Gaia created an island, an island few would ever visit and nobody would ever stumble across, it was in all of earth's oceans and none at the same time. Gaia named the island Spes spero insula or Hope Island. She would make it her home, while Gaia loved all her animals she had created there was only enough room her the very closest in her heart, Tigers, Lions, bears and great apes to roam freely, the Island was huge, but small enough to remain hidden within Gaia's influence.

While time moved differently for Gaia in the 1800's she thought of an idea to battle the worlds problems, the problems she ultimately created by allowing humans to evolve. The group usually consisted of 5 young humans of mixed races and genders; they would be her warriors in the mortal coil, her protégés and her voice. As time went on these people came and went, they changed as the world changed, then went from battling hunters in Africa to fighting dictators who were dedicated to death and mass genocide. As human society developed and turned to violence so did Gaia's warriors, they each had one element to wield, while difficult to initially command it was a powerful tool but like nature it could bring and take away life. These warriors went by many different names, every generation had a different name, a different purpose, The Vallum, The Elementals, the Elementatia, the Planeteers, The Terra, to name a few.

The world didn't change, it remained the same, Gaia new this, she saw it, some of her warriors died in their struggled some gave up hope or moved on to others things… Gaia knew if she was ever going to make a difference, this generation she would have to pick warriors that truly were warriors, that would fight with every ounce of their being and destroy the evil that existed in the world. So she sent five special rings, to five special young people.

All over the world, clouds began to gather and form, The Clouds began to form shapes in the sky, few people would notice a large cloud began to take the shape of a woman's hand, from the hand, five tiny lights burst from the clouds and crashed into earth.

Moscow - Present

Alek sat at his computer, his eyelids were growing heavy and he was beginning to fill sick, the winter had been so cold, he peered out the dirty window, frost had almost hidden the view completely. Aleksei made the decision on impulse, he'd leave early today. Standing up and grabbing his bag, he flung it over his shoulder; he turned off his computer and made it to the exit

"Mr. Mischavitch?"

The Lecturer asked snappily, Alek froze on the spot turning around he shrugged

"Dentist appointment, sorry Sir…"

He said politely, The Lecturer said something, but he was from Turkey, his Russian was terrible.

"Yes sir…"

Alek muttered with nod. Alek shivered in the cold and pulled his coat tighter around him, he wore black jeans, a red hooded jumper under a black coat that ended just below his backside. As Alek made his way through the busy Moscow street, he heard thunder above, looking up he saw a huge funnel appear in the sky made of clouds, it began to shift until it was a hand.

"What!"

Alek said alarmed, looking around him, but everyone was going about their day as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Something glinted in the air, something was falling, it fell like a shooting star for a comet. Alek ducked and tried to take refuge, but it was all over before it begun. There was a loud bang and finally Alek pulled himself from behind a dumpster, in the ground was a small hole. Alex got on his knees and looked into the perfect circle that had formed in the concrete. Against his better judgment Alek reached in and pulled out a ring.

It was beautiful, possibly one of the finest pieces of jewellery he had ever seen, the band was pure white gold, the stone at the centre was an intense light blue, almost like a sapphire but much lighter in colour, the band was thick and obviously designed for men. Alek slipped the ring on. Everything shifted, the ground the air, Alek was no longer in Moscow, sun was beaming down on him, he was on an island. A tropical island, sand was under his boots, the softest whitest sand he had ever seen. The sea was crystal blue and clear.

"What on earth…"

Alek muttered terrified.
((Basically guys, you do the same thing in your post, you explain how your characters are going about their daily lives doing whatever they do on a normal day, until the skies open up and a ring falls. Each ring is similar blue for water, green for earth, red for fire. Yellow for heart. The ring will appear masculine for Josh, but for the girls they're all girly. As soon as you character puts the ring on they are transported to the island I mentioned. You'll post your characters reactions.

Hope you like it guys, enjoy!))

[The Joshness ™]

Tyler was sitting on the floor of his lonely 1 room apartment, the setting sun behind him lighting his room up in a flaming orange haze. The computer was sitting adjacent to the Television directly beside the air conditioning hanging from his 3rd story window. There wasn’t much to his life these days, he mostly sat around at the evening time waiting for his nigh classes to begin and he would head to those. His computer beeped a few times in the background letting him know class approached. So raising his not-so-fit body off the floor and stumbling to his feet only to let out an enormous yawn and stretch.

With his left hand, he scratched his ass, with his righ his stomach as he made a slow approach to the computer to turn it off to cease the beeping “Tonight is going to be a long one.” For another ten minutes or so he gathered up his class attire, somewhat dulled down form his casual digs but it is class. He had been in a ritual of being his Bokken with him on the walk to the college, the hand crafted Japanese White Oak blade was a very nice accessory as well as a tool to be reckoned with. “Gigi!” he chanted a few times, waiting at the door looking around his tiny compartment “We got to leave goddamnit!” Then Tyler saw her, his pet bat that he had picked up at some kind of underground pet store in the ghetto. It held in its neatly folded hands, a Ring.

Tyler took a few steps closer to the Bat hanging upside down from the circulation vent directly above the small kitchen corner of his cubical. “What the hell is this?” Carefully plucking his winged companion from the vent he pried the wings open, the ring falling into his palm softly. A Mans ring, no doubt, the gold colored gem that covered the entire top half was almost liquid like “Who’s could this be???” After a second closer examination the entire things has writing etched into the obviously gold band. “Great, my pet bat’s a thief.” Sliding the ring onto his ring finger on his right hand he holds it out to take a good look at it “Not half ba-” and suddenly Tyler stopped talking all together. The planet shifted beneath his feet, the world took an awkward wobble then fall as a heavy current of something never experienced before overtakes Tyler in a ravaging fire throughout his body. He could feel it all, he could hear it all, the heartbeats of children in the room above him and the muttering subconscious of the unhappily married couple below him. A mere second later a huge wave of water bashed against him, spraying water all over him and the poor bat.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” Tyler yelled, spinning in circled looking at the island and the ocean “OH MY GOD IM IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE!!!!” He was beginning to panic, Gigi had managed to crawl out of his hands in fear of the water and took flight towards the island. Tyler watched, but not only that but he FELT the tiny bats heart exploding in a panic rush and shared the same deep sense of fear. He had jogged up to the higher coast of the island, Bokken in hand and ready. “Oh shit oh shit oh shit!” Hair stood up on his neck at that moment. He was definitely not alone on this island, wherever he was.

[Moridanu]

((EMMA WHITMORE:))


*Emma’s lips curved into a smile as her fingers gently brushed the soil from the ripe round red tomatoes she had managed to grow successfully for the first time. Using a sharp fingernail to nip the tomato at the stalk, Emma brought the fresh vegetable to her lips and kissed its silken red flesh before biting into its juicy core.

Several minutes later she rose from her crouched position and flexed her knees as she looked out over her garden. Spring was in full bloom and her garden was full of herbs, fruits and vegetables. The sound of the nesting chickens could be heard on the wind, even though the chicken coop was located several yards away from the garden, causing Emma to look their way as she pulled the wooden gate closed behind her, sealing the garden in its wooden pen; safe from Emmas ravenous goat Daisy.

Bypassing Daisy with a skip in her step, Emma made her way to the chicken coop to collect some eggs for tonight’s supper. She had just collected two eggs from beneath the warm feathery nests when she heard a strange noise from behind her. By the time she had backed out of the chicken coop and stood up, the noise had stopped though the air around her was now definitely different. The chickens, as if sensing that something important was about to happen, suddenly fell silent, as did Daisy who looked at Emma with wide sad eyes.

Bouncing the eggs in her hand for a moment while she looked at the surrounding woods thoughtfully, Emma felt the sudden compulsion to put down the eggs and walk towards the trees. So, that’s exactly what she did. Her bare feet travelled almost soundlessly across the forest floor, despite the debris of fallen twigs and leaves. The trees interlocked overhead, blocking out the sun as she moved deeper into the woods, pulled by something unheard of and unseen but strangely necessary. Finally, she came across a small hole in the earth, no bigger than the chicken coop she had just wriggled out of moments before. There, in the slightly crusted earth was a ring that glinted in the fading sunlight within the dense woods. A pale green stone shone from within its platinum silver enclosure, and without a second thought Emma slipped the ring on her finger.

The ground shook beneath her feet and she had time to yell out in surprise before the forest was ripped from beneath her and replaced with a sandy shore. The sounds of the woods were gone, while the shrill voices of seagulls could be heard as they searched the beach for an evening meal. Blinking rapidly and rubbing her dark brown eyes several times, Emma ran a shaking hand through her long jet black hair and looked around her. She sensed someone close by, and knew instantly that she was not alone. Tensing her body ready to either attack or defend, Emma let out a low growl as she buried her toes into the sand beneath her feet and readied herself for whatever was to come next.*

[Mina Sylis Sunuki]

(((Olivia Flores))
Down by the beach of Santa Cruz, the yells and screams of the people were heard from the rides. The sun was going down, and off in the peer, stood Olivia and her boyfriend Leah. Both wrapped in each others arms, in a romantic kiss.

The wind blew, causing Olivia’s black hair to wrap against the two, and was caught in Leah’s glasses. She yelped a bit, and tried pulling away, while he helped her pull her hair out of the glasses. Once they have done so, they both burst into laughter.

“That seems to always happen, Leah, ugh. Stupid hair.” Again they both laughed. While she looked into his eyes, she noticed a bright red light reflected off his glasses. She turned, and looked towards the direction from where the light was, and there it was, falling from the sky, was the beaming light. Both of them looked at it curiously, and once it landed on the beach, Leah took Olivia’s hand and rushed towards the light.

When they had reached it, Leah bends, and picked up the ring. He examined it, and looked up at Oliva, smiling.

“Now, I know this isn’t what you expected, but hey, want to marry me?” Oliva laughed, and shook her head.

“Well, I love you, yes, but honestly Leah, would you want to give your future wife a ring that fell from the sky?” Leah looked at her, and smiled.

“Well, It is a ladies ring, and it would look perfect on you. And look, it looks like fire, and you know how much of a pyro you are, just try it on, and see if it fits. Then I’ll buy you a real engagement ring when we get back to Merced, if you say yes….”

Olivia looked at him for a bit, tears coming to her eyes, and she nodded, and fell to knees, and wrapped her arms around him. “You know the answer already, Leah, of course I will marry you!” She didn’t notice it, but he had slipped the ring onto her finger, and she felt something warm. A weird feeling came over her, and soon, Leah had disappeared in front of her. She had wrapped her arms around ...nothing it seemed. what's odd was, she was still on ~a~ beach, but not the beach she was recently at. She was on an tropical island. The weather had changed, it wasn't chilly or anything, it was humid and beautiful. She looked around her, eyes looking despretly for Leah.

"Leah? Where are you? Leah, I'm scared, don't pull this on me!"

She wasn't scared, no, she was confused. She sighed, and all she did was lower herself on the ground.

"Well, damnit, this freaken sucks!" She sighed, and just sat there looking at the ocean. Fire, she wants to play with fire now....rawr.

[Nizhoni Asdza]

~:~At rest for this briefest of moments, Nizhoni lay sprawled on her back on her car as if sleeping. She’d bent her arms behind her neck for support and turned her face skyward to let the afternoon sun warm it as it had the sloped hood beneath her. With her eyes closed and only the song of the Animas River and its resident birds to break the silence, it was easy enough to pretend that she alone inhabited Kinteel, New Mexico. The truth of the matter, however, was that she shared the city with 6,377 locals and, depending on the season, any number of tourists. She could claim relation to or knowledge of none of them.

Having only just moved to the area, for need of better employment over anything else, she had already secured two jobs, a decent apartment and a bank account- part checking, part savings. From 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. till noon on Saturday she waited tables and helped wherever necessary at the Aztec (Kinteel) Main Street Bistro and for another four hours on those same days put her green thumb to use at Elder’s Greenhouse. As precious as free time now was, it did not fund the search for her sister, nor did it pay the rent. As such, it was not a luxury she could or would afford. It was in the black khakis and white button up of her Bistro uniform that she lounged on this pleasant Thursday between shifts. Less suitable for her work in the gardens, racing home to change didn’t always appeal to her weary body. Although her soiled apron bulged with a busy day’s tips, it came at the price of raw, blistered feet and forever aching joints.

As sleep beckoned temptingly from not so far away, Niz’s tired mind drifted to Shilah. The young husky sat home neglected as a result of her detour from the usual routine. There was no doubt whatsoever he was sulking. Comfortable and groggy, it wasn’t hard to justify this rare escape from responsibility. Mentally promising the moping pup a treat for his hardship, she was just beginning to drift off when a gunshot shattered the peace in her clearing hideaway.

With no concern for why someone was shooting, the Indian girl dived off the Firebird’s grooved hood with all of the speed and grace her People were known for. She landed on her stomach in the dirt with remarkably less grace and with her arms clamped protectively around her head, rolled as far under the Pontiac as the low frame would allow. The sharp “ting” of metal against metal sounded just above her, causing the terrified Niz to push further in. Face buried in the soft cotton of her sleeve, she winced as what had to be a bullet ricocheted off her beloved car and into the dirt no more than an inch from her head. So close was the impact that the heat rising from the entrance hole warmed her paling cheeks.

Even as fear chilled her blood she forced her eyes open and hastily scanned the surrounding tree-line for any sign of a gunman. Nothing and no one stood out. Rather than risk leaving what little shelter she had with no idea what she was facing, she chose to learn all she could about the weapon from the only clue available. Frantically, she dug at the bullet hole in hopes of identifying the gun. She jumped in surprise when her fingers found hot metal and retreated to her mouth for cooling. Aware that any future shots may not miss, she set her jaw and grabbed again at the heated object.

What she held had her staring in disbelief, present fear momentarily forgotten. Resting on her open palm sat a stunning ring of white and blue, its delicate gold band heated with something hotter than sunshine alone. Puzzled, she reached into the hole again to find the bullet that had surely heated the piece in passing, but the hole was empty save for gravel and rocks. More confused than perhaps she’d ever been, Niz turned the ring over in her hand as it cooled and admired the glistening stone from different angles. The way it randomly changed shades, from those she could name to hundreds she couldn’t, fascinated her immensely. Why it was here no longer interested Nizhoni as much as how it would look on her finger. Still laying on her stomach half under the car, she slid it on to find out and promptly disappeared.

The sunny clearing on the shore of the Animas was replaced instantly with an equally sunlit location bordered by a much larger body of water. The course gravel of the New Mexican riverbank no longer cushioned her, but was instead a bed of soft, ivory sand that stretched the length of her dream beach. Feeling somewhat sick again, Niz was hesitant to rise. She fingered the fine, white particles and marveled at the realness of her first ever hallucination. She was definitely working too damn hard.~:~

[Talisen Phoenix]

Alek's chest began to tighten, he grabbed hold of it and tried to breath calmly but his heart was racing painfully. His red sneakers were sinking into the sand and he could already feel the sand begin to feel his shoes. He had never seen a beach like this, he had never left Russia, Russia's beaches were dark and rocky, the water was never clear and whenever it was warm enough to go to the beach, tens of thousands of other people had the same idea, it was hell… he was definitely not in Moscow anymore.

Alek spun around trying to get his head clear; he could already feel the sun begin to burn his pale flesh. A Siberian Tiger began to lazily walk towards Alek, he froze in the spot, the animal was huge and powerful, all Alek could manage was a gurgled scream before her turned tail and ran in the opposite direction. He tripped and fell hard in the sand onto his elbows, looking down he realised he had tripped over an equally confused girl who was simply lying in the sand. Her dark hair hung around her face and she had dark olive skin.

"What the hell?"

He said in Russian, trying to scramble off the girl, the tiger however had already got bored and walked in the opposite direction. It suddenly struck Alek; he had arrived when he put the ring on. Closing his eyes he tore the ring from his finger, and slowly opened them again. Yet he was still sitting awkwardly in the sand next to the pretty girl, he felt compelled to put the ring back on his index finger.

"Sorry… where are we?"

Alek said to the girl in English this time, he's English was excellent, but he still had a heavy Russian accent. He shook sand out of his blonde hair; he was beginning to sweat under the layers he wore because of the cold that day, who knew he'd end up on a tropical island! Alek pulled himself up; he squinted against the sunlight and could see something crystal glint in the sun

"Look can you see that?"

He said pointing at the huge crystal in the distance, it looked like a massive diamond fixed into the sand. Out of the diamond a woman moved. She was one of the most beautiful things Alek had ever seen, or would ever see. She looked like an unusual mix of every race imaginable, her skin was a deep chocolate colour and her eyes were a piercing blue. Her thick black hair hung passed her backside and had streaks of every natural hair colour possible. She wore a light purple toga-like robe. Her arms were exposed and around them were dark circular tattoos weaving around them delicately.

She moved towards Alek and Nizhoni, with each footstep tiny flowers sprung from the sand behind her, the animals of the island began to growl and call happily, they bowed their heads as she passed, even the trees and the sunlight seemed to move to follow the woman. Alek stared at her in pure wonderment.

"Welcome to Hope Island Alek, Nizhoni"

She said gently her voice was soft and melodic, she had no accent at all, her voice was supernaturally neutral. She didn't just appear to Alek and Nizhoni, she also appeared in turn to Emma, Olivia and Tyler, each saying the same thing, calling out their names and welcoming them to Hope Island. Suddenly Alek wasn't afraid of the island anymore, he's fear washed away from him the second he had seen the woman walking towards him.

"I'm Gaia, the spirit of the earth, please follow me, I have much to explain"

She said with a smile, she turned around and began walking towards the large crystal; Alek turned to look at Nizhoni and helped her up. Alek immediately began to follow the goddess. As he got closer he realised the large crystal was indeed growing from the sand, it was hollowed out. The floor was made up of the same crystal but flattened and shinny. It was a room; huge flat crystals surrounded the room, on each crystal a picture was playing out within it. Alek peered closer and realised he could see his home through one of the many crystal slabs. The Goddess folded her hands and smiled serenely waiting for everyone to arrive.

[Nizhoni Asdza]

~:~Nizhoni may have been content to lie on that mysterious beach all day had it not been for what happened next. Typically, sensitive hearing made her more aware than most of her surroundings, however, the shock of this unlikely situation allowed Alek to slip by unnoticed until his booted foot caught her in the ribs. This hallucination had one powerful kick. Her eyes watered and the breath she had not yet realized she was holding rushed out of her on a groan. Brought painfully back to reality, Niz’s arms curled protectively around her side to spare it further abuse. She rolled and sat quickly, stretching her legs between the two of them in case the dream-man decided to get violent again. The massive cat he was escaping had also eluded her keen senses and so could not be considered an excuse for the accident. For a figment of her imagination, she was surprised to see the same confusion mirrored in his unfamiliar face as could surely be found in hers. He then spoke with an accent to match his foreign features. Although she knew it to be Russian, she neither spoke nor understood the language. She watched in awkward silence as he fumbled with a ring similar to the one hurled down at her only moments ago. Perhaps this extraordinary event wasn’t the result of exhaustion, but of something far more mystical than her imagination after all.~:~

“I assumed you- as my hallucination- would know. Then again, I didn’t expect a Russian either. I must have been hit…”

~:~Disturbed, Niz lifted her arms to examine her side as though she might have mistaken the cause of her pain as the meeting with his boot instead of it’s actual source, the bullet she’d never found. Her white shirt was intact with no blood to be found. Stumped, she inspected the rest of her. It was only when he stood and began pointing that she fixed her eyes on the object of his fascination in the distance. At this point, she was having some difficulty trusting anything her eyes had to say. If correct, an exotic woman of unspeakable beauty was now climbing from an enormous diamond-shaped crystal. It took but a second for the woman’s identity to become clear to Nizhoni. The man was at once forgotten as she bowed low before her Creator, still crouched in the sand.~:~

“Ônihima'…”

~:~The word, “our mother” in her native language, was the only she could form in the presence of Asdz a a nádleehé as Niz prepared to be reunited with her parents. Without warning and mostly painless, death had come to bring her to them. The teachings had not done Her justice by any means. Awed by just Her voice, Nizhoni held perfectly still, trying to prevent her mind from drifting to the young Russian she was experiencing this with. The term “Hope Island” reached her and closed eyes opened slowly as she searched her memory for it. That she had never heard it, or couldn’t remember at least, meant nothing. The afterlife would be referred to by whatever Ônihima', the great Changing Woman, chose. It was when the woman then announced her name to be Gaia that confusion set in once more. What else had the teachings been wrong about?~:~

“I..I…but…”

~:~Left to stare after Her as Gaia requested they- both of them- follow, Nizhoni struggled for strength to stand. Barely noticing he stood near enough to help, she accepted this “Alek’s” arm and climbed shakily to her feet. She would learn no more lying in the sand, so she hurried down the beach towards the massive crystal. What she saw inside explained little, but created plenty more questions. As much as she wanted to ask, Niz found her lips glued shut and the words caught fast in her throat. Deeply puzzled, she simply stared at the spirit awaiting any explanation offered.~:~

[Moridanu]

*The sand was soft beneath her bare feet, and as she peered off into the distance, she was able to make out a shimmering shape of pure light that seemed to call to her. As she watched, her eyes straining to focus, a beautiful lady dressed in shades of lavender began to approach her.

Soon the lady’s voice filled her mind and Emma felt every muscle in her body begin to relax as she listened to the womans soothing tones.

“Welcome to Hope Island, Emma. I'm Gaia, the spirit of the earth, please follow me, I have much to explain"

Emma’s ears pricked up at the mention of Earth. She had always felt a deep sense of love for the mother planet and all the life forms contained therein. This woman was claiming to be the spirit of earth, but the normally sceptical Emma found this surprisingly easy to believe. With feet that felt as though they were trailing over clouds of the softest grey, Emma trailed after the woman, back to that strange shimmering shape far off in the distance.

As she approached, she saw the shimmering shape was in fact hollowed out and had at least one room inside. It looked like a few other people had already arrived as she saw a male in front of her at first, and then a female with skin the same shade as hers. As Emma’s dark gaze fell onto the back of the other woman’s equally dark head, she felt a strange feeling suddenly wash over her. It was a foreign sensation to her, one that made her want to cry and laugh at the same time. Confused by this sensation, she slowed her step as she finished the final distance to the door of this shimmering formation in the sand.

Reaching the door a few minutes after the other two had gone inside, she stepped over the threshold and looked around carefully. If anyone happened to look her way she would meet their gaze with a curious smile. Finally her gaze came to rest on the woman who was standing in the middle of the room. Poistioning herself so that her back was up against one wall and she could see everyone while being close to the exit, Emma stared expectantly at the woman without saying a word. *
]

[Mina Sylis Sunuki]

After a few short moments, she sighed, and was about to get up and look for Leah. As she stood up, she began brushing off the beach sands off her jean shorts. Seeing a few grains of sand on her legs, Olivia bends and brushes that as well.

The sound of grinding sand hand caught her ears, and the only way to look towards the directing the grinding sand was coming from, she had to brush her dark hair back. As she brushed it behind her ear, she gazed at a very beautiful woman. Olivia jumps, and falls. Her bottom landing on the sand. It wasn’t that she was scared of the woman, no, it just startled her. But as Olivia continued to gaze at this woman, a feeling of safeness and warmth overcame Olivia, and a half smile crossed her tanned face.

“Welcome to Hope Island Olivia.” Hope Island? Sounds like a theme park, thought Olivia. She stands up slowly once again, nodding to the spirit.

“Thank you, who’re you?” Gaia continues to smile, and continued on with her introduction, just as she did with Alek, Nizhoni, and Emma.

“I’m Gaia, the spirit of the earth, please follow me, I have much to explain.” When she turned and walked off, Olivia was about to call out ‘wait’, but then her eyes caught the large crystal. Olivia dark eyes widen at the beauty Hope Island’s had on its island.

Olivia eyes had drifted off the crystal and began dashing off towards Gaia. She examined Gaia from behind. She never new a woman could be so beautiful, she thought. But, Leah came to her mind, and she knew that Gaia had answers, and hope that she would help her find Leah.

As she approach the crystal, with Gaia disappearing inside, Olivia stopped for a few moments to admire it. The shape and shine of the crystal was so beautiful to Olivia. Perhaps when she returns home, IF she returns home, she’ll make a painting of what she saw.

Walking up to the entrance, she notices that the crystal was (growing?) out of the sand. Her confusing starts to rise a bit more. Olivia then steps inside, in fear that she would slip, so she held on to the wall as she walked in. Everything was made of crystal, and it was just beautiful.

“Gaia, do you know where Le…..” but her eyes drifted off into the rest of the room and realized that she saw Leah, in one of the flat crystals. It was her home, it seemed, back in California. She saw other places, but none of them really gave her a second glance, all she saw was her home, her love, and confusion clouding her thoughts. She didn’t realize that the other three were in there as well even though they had entered the crystal place right after Gaia had went in. It was probably when she was admiring the place before she had stepped in.

But all this has made her thing of asking questions upon questions. Not sure what to ask, when to ask it, or how to. So, she walked a few feet into the room, further away from the others, and crossed her arms right underneath her bosom, and waits for Gaia to speak. The corner of her eye was the flat crystal that kept her on this side of the crystal, and Leah on the other. She sighs deeply, and waits.

[The Joshness ™]

Tyler had been wandering around, 2 seconds from flailing his arms around and screaming for help or something then she came to him. Gaia, in all her natural beauty, he was about an inch from whacking her in the face with his Bokken when she appeared but being Gaia, she instantly put him to ease. When she greeted Tyler he just nodded a little bit and kept his same bothered attitude. He had taken a few steps back when she tried to approach him, not liking any of this in the slightest. But at the same time the Ring he had around his finger made his entire body pulsate with each heartbeat that the others on the island had. He knew that they meant him no harm, not at all, but being teleported to an island and having a woman materialize out of thin air before you can be quite startling.

"Welcome to Hope Island, Tyler."

Blinked slowly “…yo…”

“I’m Gaia, the spirit of the earth, please follow me, I have much to explain.”

Tyler wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, or say, but when she made her move to the inner of the island, Tyler followed her instinctually. In no time at all they arrived to a structure formed form Crystals which seemed to be growing from the ground itself. Their peaceful blue hue made him relax, sending waves of warmness to his entirety. She had vanished before entering the Crystal structure, and when she did that the rest of them came to view.

“So are you guys Earth Spirits too? Or am I not the only one being kidnapped by them today?”

His eyes quickly surveyed them with great caution, each of them had on their fingers a ring very similar to his and each with a different color. His eyes then turned to the one named Gaia, obviously the one responsible for his transportation here. Coming in quickly from outside was Gigi, and with no regards to anything, flew directly into the hair of Emma and quickly becoming entangled in its fit of fear. Without a doubt still petrified over its whole arrival and such to the island. It was just as stressful for Gigi as it was for Tyler. Of course now they are a bit more ‘connected’ then they were before, they were always very linked when it came to emotions.

“Has anyone here ever seen Power Rangers? Cause if this lady throws a Morpher at me I’m leaving.”

[Talisen Phoenix]

Alek looked from the girl by his side back to the goddess like he was at a tennis match, the girl was obviously taken, as he was, but she was muttered something softly under her breath, he wasn't sure if it was English or not, but it was a word he hadn't ever heard before. One by one other people began to fill the room, a rough looking girl, an earth girl with a similar complexion to Alek's 'friend' and a young man with a bat. The creatures were far too common in Moscow.

The Goddess moved softly, slowly, like every since movement was calculated and thought out, she smiled warmly at Tyler's introduction, someone Alek thought it simply wasn't enough, but what could any of them say, she was a goddess!

“So are you guys Earth Spirits too? Or am I not the only one being kidnapped by them today?”

Alek shook his head, so did Gaia, he than continued with something of Morphing, he was speaking way to fast for Alek to understand, he just gave the man a sideway glance, the Spirit of the earth smiled warmly however.

"Tyler, like yourself these four people are similar to you, they were handpicked by myself to be my guardians, my hand. Nobody's been kidnapped, it's ultimately your choice to be here, it won't be an easy challenge, your lives will change… dramatically."

She said with what Alek thought was a hint of sadness.

"Ever since humans have walked the earth they’ve been moving further and further away from their own spirituality, they're connection with the earth, with me, they grow and kill and maim and destroy the very thing which gives them life. With that my powers have diminished greatly"

Gaia turned around, every crystal in the room began to shimmer, the pictures that were once of each of the young men and women's homes were replaced by images of famine, death and decay, vile creatures destroying the earth for their own selfish purposes.

"Through the generations I've been forced to create a new presence on earth, people who will fight for me, protect the earth with various gifts given to them, be my voice… I've decided lately to take things more… aggressively"

She said with a smirk her eyes lite up beautifully, her eyes were astonishing they held a joke that nobody else would ever know and a sadness that nobody else would ever feel.

"You've all been picked because you have some kind of connection with me, you may not even realise it but I do… If you choose to fight my fight, you will work under me, you will have your own lives, but you will live on Hope Island… you won't be able to return home until your task is complete, or until you've had enough… This is something I cannot help and something you will have to decide for yourself…"

The Images in the crystals vanished suddenly, they once again displayed everyone's home and in particular Olivia's boyfriend, the rings around the individuals fingers began to glow and shift, the metal grew until on each arm of the group was a silver or gold gauntlet, surprisingly it wasn't heavy though, some were rounded and squared, while others were spiked and clawed like a talon. When Gaia spoke the element the large crystal that was on the back of the hand glowed brilliantly.

"For Alek, who I have chosen to lead you, will command wind, powerful aggressive, defensive, like nature itself Alek, and all of you, you will be able to save lives with your powers or destroy lives. For Tyler you will command the Human Spirit, able to plant suggestions in the mind, read thoughts and emotions, you will be able to enter the mind of almost every living creature on the planet. Your empathy will guide the group. For Olivia, Fire, One of the most aggressive of my elements, but keep in mind Fires are a natural occurrence, they can create new life as fast as they can destroy it. For Emma Earth, You will be able to make things grow, create earthquakes and move the very earth under your feet move and lastly Nizhoni your element is Water, It kills as many people as it saves, I hope the latter applied to you."

The Gauntlets were suddenly deactivated; they melted and shifted back to their former shape of innocent rings around their fingers.

"Each of you are able to generate and manipulate your own element, keep in mind however you are not gods and your abilities are limited, heavy smog and pollution will deactivate your rings and you will be helpless…"

Gaia moved towards Tyler and stroke the bat that was clutched onto his shoulder.

"It's a lot to take in and decide upon, you will find separate cabins to the north of the island and a rec room not far from those. Be warned you don’t have much time to make a decision, use your time wisely."

Gaia continued to smile warmly and motioned with her hands to exit, but she lifted her hand quickly and pointed

"Oh, Nizhoni and Emma, can you please stay behind for a second"

Alek shrugged at Nizhoni, he felt a connection with her, probably because she was the first person he had seen on the island and nearly crushed. He walked outside with the others

"This is unbelievable…"

He said both to himself and his comrades while looking down at the ring… at wind.

((I checked for grammar and spelling but they're might be some I missed I've been looking at this damned thing for hours! Hope this explains everything, basically it's up to you what your gauntlets look like and pretty much how you use your powers the sky's the limit and I expect everyone to use they're powers creatively! Thanks guys, hope this is cool.))



((Just an example of what your gauntlets look like, but it's up to you, just something similar with the stone colour matching your element, Yellow in Tyler's case.))[/b][/i][/color]

[Nizhoni Asdza]

~:~Others, people of varying ethnicity and accents, were approaching from behind but Nizhoni was averse to taking her eyes off Gaia. Through fault of no one but herself, her hopes had risen at the possibility of reuniting with her parents and now crashed upon realization that this was not Asdz a a nádleehé. The nagging sensation that family was near made it easier to cling still to the hope that the great Changing Woman and Gaia were one in the same. If that was true then her instinct was correct and she would at last be among her own blood again. Extraordinary and unbelievable as it was, it was not “Welcome to the afterlife”. As she had many times before, Niz carefully wrapped the sting of the loss, then hid it away. She hid the disappointment carefully, loathe to appear ungrateful of what Gaia offered. The inkling that she stood in this clearing with someone not a complete stranger to her persisted.

Despite the fact she had been one of the very first two to arrive at the crystal structure, Nizhoni was left feeling like she’d shown up late to the meeting and was having to struggle to catch up. She replayed the events in her head and considered the proposition as if for the first time. It was a lot to accept even for someone as open minded as she. From what felt like miles away she could hear the group’s random comments, though if asked could not be expected to know any of what was said. When the ring shifted to cover her arm in the form of a medieval gauntlet she was more fascinated than startled. The recent events made pretty much everything that followed believable. Surreal, but still believable. The bare fingertips of her unarmored hand traced the long, spined tail of the sea serpent design as it coiled around the arm of the gauntlet. Its cerulean eye glared up at her with what must be centuries of knowledge glistening within the gem. Just the thought of such a powerful weapon being latched to her arm was enough to make her shiver. She was all too happy to have it shrink back into the shape of a ring on her finger where it was as harmless as it was pretty. Nothing so delicate and beautiful could be dangerous. It hardly looked as if it could control a puddle much less any larger water body.

Her mind reeled with what saying yes would mean for her future and her life as her gaze moved from the ring to fix on the images of death and destruction flashing on the screens. Regardless of what she would be leaving behind, refusing to stand against that harsh reality was inconceivable. She had to admit, if sheepishly, that at present she was finding it difficult to remember what exactly she’d be giving up to stay. A thorough search of her memory brought her twin sister’s face, or at least as close to it as she could imagine having never met her, to the forefront of her mind and she cringed. How could she have forgotten her single lifelong goal so quickly? To save the world or continue the search for her sister: a lousy moral dilemma in Nizhoni’s opinion. The whole situation left the troubled woman longing for her father’s wise advice, but he was gone and she was alone with the decision.

Suddenly the motion of everyone- specifically Alek- around her brought Nizhoni back into the moment. The attachment was ludicrous, as Niz knew the Russian as well if not less than Gaia, but she was inclined to remain near him. Saving numerous questions for later, she turned to follow him but was stopped before taking a step. Called aside by a goddess or an earth spirit or whatever else she might be was a big enough deal that Nizhoni appreciated the seriousness of it. Unsure of whether or not to be embarrassed, due to the fact that she was still unsure who Gaia was and where she fit into Niz's own religion, she flushed slightly as she headed back. Why Emma was named as well became obvious as soon as Nizhoni bothered to study her face. She might have turned to face a mirror for all of the similarities between the two of them. As the name she’d held for so long threatened to pass her lips, she forcefully bit it back. She’d (possibly) humiliated herself once by making quick assumptions and wouldn’t make the mistake a second time. There was no way that her search ended here. As weird as the day had been, it wasn't going to be -that- weird. The resemblence had to be a coincidence. Her mouth snapped shut and though she continued furtive glances in Emma’s direction, she gave Gaia her full attention. Uncharacteristic awkwardness tainted her tone as she spoke directly to her.~:~

“Yes, Gaia?”

[emma]

~.. Emma listened closely as Gaia explained to Tyler, and in turn, to the others that they were all in the same situation and that none of them had been kidnapped. At the mention of the words “handpicked”, “guardians”, “challenge” and that their lives would change dramatically, Emma took in a deep breath and let it out in a long slow whistle.

A tingling sensation alerted her to the fact that her ring seemed to be on fire. As the silver metal burned into a deep bronze colour, the metal seemed to melt and morph over her entire hand until it had become a bronze gauntlet. An intricate pattern that resembled bark was quickly etched in the soft metal until it hardened and became as strong as armour around her hand. Flexing her fingers which were still free of the gauntlet, Emma felt a smile crease her lips as her hand began to throb slightly with a deep sense of power. The smile faded from her lips however, as she listened with a heavy heart while Gaia spoke of the destruction of the Earth; it was a pain that Emma herself shared. She had always felt a strong connection with the world around her, immersing herself in nature as soon as she was physically able, and the images that now shimmered on the crystals in front of her caused a deep stabbing pain in her heart. Gaia obviously understand this connection with the Earth as she commented that all of them were in fact connected with her in some way. She also spoke of their “choice” whether they would help her in her plight or not, but for Emma there was no choice to make. Even the mention of them having to live here on Hope Island was not enough to sway her mind. Her little shack would survive without her, she left behind no family or friends to miss her. No, for Emma the choice was easy. She would become one of Gaias’ “Guardians”. She would do her bit for the planet Earth, though she wondered just how she would be able to do so.

It was then that Gaia began to spoke of each Guardians different abilities. Emma nodded and looked to Alek, as she heard that he was going to lead them. She wondered momentarily what qualities he possessed to be assigned such a role, but was distracted by her desire to find out how each person would be blessed. Each of them had a different element to draw upon, and Emma was delighted when she heard that hers would in fact be her beloved Earth. The news that she could cause earthquakes amazed and frightened her, while the knowledge that she would be able to make things grow meant that she was also blessed with the ability to foster life. Such a huge responsibility was not lost on Emma and she merely stood there in respectful silence as she waited for Gaia to finish speaking.

Finally the gauntlet was deactivated and morphed back into the seemingly innocent ring once more. She listened and nodded as she heard the conditions of their powers. Taking note that pollution would have a major impact on her abilities, Emma nodded again as she went to move off towards the cabins that Gaia had mentioned before she was stopped and asked to stay here. Hearing that another girl by the name of Nizhoni was asked also to stay back, Emma now finally turned and looked at the other girl in more detail. When she did, she gasped out loud and took a step back. It was like she was looking into a mirror, and the image frightened and confused her. She had never had any form of family around her, noone that had ever looked remotely like her, let alone exactly the same.

~What the hell is going on here? ~ she wondered as she looked back to Gaia with wide, terrified eyes. ..~

[Mina Sylis Sunuki]

Her mind wonders back to Gaia as she began to speak. The words leaving from Gaia’s lips were harmonic, and beautiful, and it caught Olivia's attention and interest quickly. She’d listen intently at the words that flow from the goddess’ mouth. Her eyebrow resin in curiosity as Gaia had mentioned their tasks ahead of them. To live on Hope Island and not return back to the world she grew up in? It was hard to bare, especially since she was proposed to by her boyfriend, well, now her fiancé. It was a tough decision, but from what Gaia had said, she was chosen. It was her destiny, and it was her job to save her family, her love, and those upon the Earth ruled by the mother Gaia herself. Strange, all her life she thought that she was different from the others, that there was something more than her simple life in California. Now, she knows it was true, she was a warrior, and she will defend her planet, even if she were sad that she could no longer see her fiancé till after the others and her task was done. A slight sigh escaped from her as she thought this.

When her mind wondered to her thoughts, she didn’t realize that her now glowing ring had changed from it’s beautiful small round shape to a sort of gantlet that covered her hand and part of her arm. When the light caught her eyes, she shifted them and looked upon her arm in wonder. It was beautiful, light, and it gave her newfound strength that she never felt before. It made her feel good, powerful, and thought she could do anything she put her mind too.

Once Gaia had began speaking to her about her element, her eyes moved back to the Mother Earth goddess. The elemental fire magic? Oh, that is such a great gift to have, especially since she loved fire. But the way the Mother Earth explained it, it could be destroy life and bring it. It was such a great gift to receive.

It was time for the rest to leave, except for those who had to remain inside. Gaia had given them instructions, and she new where she was headed, to the cabin. Once Gaia gave permission to leave, Olivia, without looking at the others, took off in the direction of the Cabin. She needed to rest a bit, because she knew that soon she will train and learn how to use her new gift.

Quickly she walked to the cabin; quickly she stopped bends over and slipped her sandals off her feet, because she wanted to feel the sand against her toes. Once she had done so, she continued on walking holding her sandals. Once she had reached the cabin, she didn’t really look at the beauty of it; instead she had entered the cabin and looked around. It looked too cozy and she headed towards the room where the bed was, and once she was there, she hand landed quickly upon the bed, buried her face in the pillow and feel asleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and she needs all the rest she can get.

(I’m sorry this took too long, I was concentrating on my school, and it pulled off greatly since I got straight B’s this semester, it would have been great to get A’s but yea, I didn’t…but oh well, B’s are good too…  )

[The Joshness ™]

Gigi, having a nervous breakdown on Tyler’s shoulder turns to molten Jell-O on his shoulder after she touches the bat. “That’s cool, I guess.” Tyler shrugs a little bit “I’ve always wanted to be a super hero.” Glancing at the other he nodded to them “That is what we will become, of course.” His mind was racing with the waves of human thought and the lack of it “With gifts such at these, we will accomplish things that will bring to us global recognition. But-” This time he directs his gaze at Gaia “it will attract some direly vile recognition at the same time. We will gain company we wouldn’t have at the dinner table. With great strength comes great responsibility, as Spidey’s uncle would contest.” Tyler continues more “I’ve seen something like this happen with a guy I went to school with when he accidentally busted a drug marketing boss type guy and became a local hero. A week later he was hung by his…parts….from a phone poll by that bosses budies.”

Tyler sighs softly, its times like those that made his emotions a burden. And that burden drives him “I myself am all up for it. I can’t say anything I could do with my life would even begin to make an impact as big as the ring you’ve bestowed upon me would.” He smiles and rubs his cheek on Gigi, which clings silently to him. “I am your soldier, Gaia.” The Warrior of Heart turns to the rest before he steps out of the room to go search for his own little cabin “I suggest you all make the right choice and accept your roles. When the spirit of Earth itself chooses you out of a couple billion people, I don’t think it’s a wrong choice…” He left, and once gone Gigi leapt from his shoulder to take flight in order to hunt down some munchies no doubt. The decision wasn’t as hard for Tyler as it may be for the rest, mostly because of his ability to tap into the emotions of others, even before today, making it much to apparent to him that Gaia needed his help. HIS help. HIM. He knew what he needed to do. And he’s doing it.