Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:01:16 +0000 (UTC) From: Joseph Klimczak Subject: The Tales of Sol 67 The Tales of Sol 67 By Joe at3unit3@yahoo.com This is a fictional story it is not intended to imply that any members of the Backstreet Boys, Nsync, or 98 Degrees are gay, or any of the other celebrities mentioned are homosexuals. If you are not old enough to read these stories do yourself a favor and don't get caught. The same goes for those people whose countries have these sites made illegal. And for everyone else enjoy Captain Planet and related characters was created by R.E Turner and copyrighted by AOL Time Warner Company and trademarked by TBS Productions Babylon 5 and all related characters and props were created by Michael Straczynski and copyrighted by Warner Bros. Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount Transformers and all related characters, and props are trademarked by Hasbro Inc. Copyright Rhino Home Videos and AOL Time Warner Entertainment CO He-Man, She-Ra, related characters, and props are trademarked by Filmation 1980s Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. To those who've been reading Tales of Sol. I want you to know that while there is sex in this story. That is not is sole purpose and yes I do hope the sex scenes makes you all hard and gets you off. Sol is an adaption from my childhood favorite show Captain Planet and the Planeteers, The cartoon showed us that the world can be a better place if we took a few moments to care for it. Tales of Sol is meant to express hope. It also shows how music can have an impact in our lives. While I don't know if my favorite bands 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys or Nsync have ever read this. They saw me through some of the hardest moments of my life and offered in their own way hope. To them, I say thank you. I dedicate the Tales of Sol to all of my brothers and sisters of the US Armed Service past, present, and future. I like to thank my friends whom I had the privilege of showing these chapters with. They helped with editing and inspiration, John Rivera, Albert-Russ Alan Rivera-Odum, Derbe.D. Hunte Yvette Ortiz Samuel Diaz Jr for all their help in Making The Tales of Sol an enjoyable story to write. And I have a few other names starting with the beginner of this universe. James the author of Tales of a Real Dark Knight. I still hope to reconnect with you dear friend and all the rest of this series. Blake the author of Tales of a New Phoenix Jeremi author of the Tales of Young Mutants Tales of Sol 67 Unsuccessful Success When I was sure I had lost the SHIELD flyers I dropped the holographic camouflage. Not that I had a choice as the holo emitters all died. I brought the Geocruiser back to the Lair Dave and Jake confirmed that all of the data I sent from the Argus was received. Bringing the Geocruiser down to the helipad I got out and walked across to the Lair's outer door. I wanted to get to the Command Center quickly. Dave approached, "You have a lot of guts Mike if I had known you were planning to invade SHIELD I would have kicked your ass," "I knew you like it," I smirked "I hope it was worth the trouble," Dave growled in disapproval. "Hey they sure enjoyed my Shadow Vessel," I commented "That hologram was the only thing that kept that flying fortress from blasting the Geocruiser out of the sky," Dave rebuked "I would have preferred the Sea Dragon but we are still retrofitting her," I countered "Even that beast of a helicopter of yours wouldn't have stood a chance against SHIELD," Dave countered Pointing to the dry field "Dave right now we have a world that is dying all around us, countless plants and animals have already perished because of all of this, and we still don't have any leads on to who is causing it," "My well-being is minor compared to all life on this planet including yours I did what I had to do," I countered his concern Dave huffed in frustration and then said, "You are correct, I am sorry I didn't like the thought of you going up against an organization like SHIELD without your full powers," "Believe me Dave there was nothing I wished for more after jumping overboard to get away from them was for Sol to come to my rescue," I shuddered "Wait, you jumped off that Flying Fortress?" Dave gasped "I was surrounded and there was only one option left," I rationalized "Mike I swear you are going to be the death of me," Dave shook his head "If we don't find the bastard we are all going to die," I reminded my mentor once again. We continued to the Command Center in silence as we tried to piece together my current action. "We have only started going over the data and they have crossed several possibilities off but there are still several millennia worth of Sol's memories to go through," Dave reported as we entered the Command Center. Dana and Jake were sitting at the main console. Jake turned to me "Welcome back Mike you were successful in getting a good deal of information from SHIELD and for not getting blasted," "I am glad myself and don't you start Dave already expressed his concerns but now is not the time to worry we have a world to save," I quickly countered "Mike you can't save anything if you go off half-cocked like that," Jake snapped. Pointing to the camera that showed us outside I still refused to raise the shutters. "Jake look at that monitor, the world is in peril I can't sit here studying the screen while all life is withering away," I commanded Jake wasn't having it "And how will you save this world if SHIELD shot down the Geocruiser?" I turned to my shipmate "the same way those before us saved this country by laying down their lives for what they believed in," Jake simmered down "We took that oath before Jake and now more than ever that oath matters," I said, placing my hand on Jake's shoulder. I felt him tense up but he knew I was right. "Jake it was a necessary risk one I would do again without hesitation," I firmly stated Dave turned to Jake "I expressed the same concerns Jake, but Mike was correct we have a lot of ground to cover and we can't let fear get to us," "I just hope we find this creep to make the world better," Jake sighed as we all went to work sifting through the vast amount of data I stored into BEATTI's mainframe along with the information I took from SHIELD trying to narrow down and find the bastard who was draining the Earth's life force. By nightfall, we were still no closer to solving this mystery. I really could use that connection to the Earth right now, instead of taking my frustrations out on BEATTI and at the request more like orders of Dana's Watcher. Razeel and I were out patrolling the city. Despite his constant need to assert some kind of authority where he had none, Blaylock rightfully pointed out that vampires don't need oxygen so we were still needed to protect Philadelphia from those pests. Blaylock was highly annoyed when I called them that but I wasn't in the mood to deal with the prig's pompous attitude. Fortunately, Dave had convinced me to take my frustrations out on the vampires and not Blaylock. Armed with my Mek'Leth, stingers, a few wooden stakes, and wearing an oxygen breathing apparatus, Razeel and I climbed into the Ecocopter and flew to Center City Philadelphia. Landing the solar-powered helicopter on the now deserted Parkway; the city was a virtual ghost town hardly a soul on the street. Razeel and I began our patrol when the Slayer spotted several vampires attacking a homeless couple, and we ran to their aid. Pulling out a wooden stake "Hey buddy!" I called out. This got the vampire's attention as they stopped their feeding and looked at Razeel and I. fueled by my frustration I threw the stake. The third vampire from the center had a surprised look as the stake entered his demonic heart. Dusting a moment later in a roar the remaining demons charged. in a downward thrust, I sent my Mek'Leth into the spine of the closest vampire. The demon screamed in pain. Fortunately, the vampire's pain was short-lived as I yanked my Klingon sword out and then brought it down and through the back of his neck. Seconds later he was dust on the pavement. The remaining vampires turned and attacked, swinging my left wrist up. I fired off several stingers. The mini stakes I fired were small but like a bee sting, they pack a punch. Two struck their targets and clouds of dust were all that came at me. Before I could take a swing with my Mek'Leth a fist collided with my jaw and I went sailing into a trash can. I was slightly dazed. I forgot how strong these buggers were and without my powers, I really felt every point of contact. Before I could recover the vampire was on me. And the kindly dusted what I saw were a trio of metal claws which were connected to a very familiar person wearing a breathing mask of his own, "Logan fancy meeting you here in downtown Philly," I warmly remarked In a voice distorted by his mask, "Hey bub," Wolverine returned the greeting and then went back to carving up more vampires. Between the three of us, the remaining vampires were sliced and diced and turned into pixie dust. As the dust from the vampires settled I asked again, "So what brings you to Philadelphia?" "The Professor sent us here when all of our vehicles started to clunk out," Wolverine explained "Why here?" Razeel asks after she dusts herself off "According to the Professor whatever is happening around the world all of it is centered here in Philadelphia," Wolverine answered Logan's information was actually very helpful and meant a lot to me since it helped narrow down the list of possibilities to my city making Philadelphia the epicenter of everything. "I thank you for your timely assistance Logan," I smiled around my bruised lip "You have helped us enough times besides this is a world of a problem and we are not going to go quietly into the night," Logan gruffly recognized waving his arm to direct a person out of the shadows A very familiar brunette wearing skin-tight blue leather and a breathing mask walked over, "And we also come with a response to your desire to have us part of your team," the mutant acknowledged the young lady. I finally recognized her "I saved you from that gang that tried to sell you to those so-called Friends of Humanity," "Hello my name is Tela," she smiled "Good to finally have a name to go with the face, I am surprised to see you again, we've never crossed paths up at the mansion while I was in New York," I remembered "She was being trained at our Los Angeles compound while you were learning how to use your powers," Wolverine answered "That explains it then," I shook my head "I wanted to repay you and Logan told me about how you wanted to build a team to fight the forces of darkness and I wanted to help," Tela responded Waving around at the deserted city "Well these are dark times Tela," "I can see that, do you have any ideas?" Tela asked "None," I confessed That made even Wolverine take a step back, "What about your connection to the Earth?" "If I had that connection I wouldn't have to invade SHIELD," I huffed in frustration That made Wolverine smirk "You invaded SHIELD?" I sighed and filled them in on everything that has been happening from the discovery of the Earth's life force being drained to me losing my powers. I wrapped it all up by telling them the story about us needing to go to SHIELD for some assistance. Wolverine looked downright proud "I got to say Guardian you've got guts, I have had my dealings with SHIELD, some good, some bad. To hear you managed to infiltrate them and get out with your hide intact is impressive," "I have my pain-the-ass of a computer of mine'BEATTI' that we got away if she hadn't stayed in the area instead of flying back to the Lair like had I ordered, we wouldn't have this conversation either they would have captured me again or.." I let the last bit trail off Tela shuddered "I get the picture, why would you take on such a risk if you weren't even sure it would work?" In complete understanding of the situation soft yet filled with conviction, Wolverine answered, "In this game, there is no such thing as an unnecessary risk, Guardian did what he had to do, what anyone in his position would do, He went searching for answers to a mystery that needs to be solved," "Speaking of mysteries, I forgot to look into it back in New York. How goes the reconstruction of the George Washington Bridge going?" I brought up "This is definitely the wrong time to ask about that," Wolverine grumbled, "but for what it is worth they were still rebuilding it before everything puttered to a halt," Wolverine remarked Tela asked, "Why worry about a bridge when our world is dying before our eyes?" I quickly summed up what happened to the bridge. "Damn man that is some story," Wolverine whistled after a moment to think "Yes I was still learning what it is I can do when I first got these powers," I nodded "I just feel bad for not keeping up with it," I sighed Slapping my back hard enough to make me slightly stumble, "Bub you are a superhero, a crime fighter, and a security guard," waving around at the practically abandoned city, "One damaged bridge is potatoes compared to this, I doubt anyone would even think bad about it," The gruff mutant was right. I had enough on my plate then a bridge destroyed by toxic waste. But I intend to look into it once everything settles. "We need to either keep patrolling or head back to the Lair we are running out of oxygen," I pointed out "I need to report back to our temporary headquarters but Tela why don't you go back with them," Wolverine suggested "Wait before you go," I held up my hand "BEATTI come in," "Yes sir," BEATTI replied "Link up with Wolverine's communicator," I ordered stretching out my hand "Logan bring your communicator next to my combadge," Wolverine nodded and did just that a few beeps and blips came from both and then BEATTI announced "All set sir, Wolverine as soon as you get back to your headquarters just set your badge next to your communication's system and you will be able to have direct contact with me," "That is great, let us know when we can help," Wolverine said then walked away. "Come Tela, let's get you back to the Lair and we will get you acquainted with everyone," I gestured to the Ecocopter. Tela gasped as the rotors began to whirl, "How is it that your helicopter is working and everything else is grounded?" Dana smirked, "One of the benefits of having an eco-friendly hero one with the Spirit of the Earth backing him, this chopper is solar power and right now we are flying on its solar batteries," Tela whistled "And you can take it on patrol all night long?" "This chopper no but when she is fit for service again, the monster I have back at the Lair will have such capabilities," I remarked as we took off to the skies and flew back to the Lair. While in flight my mind had wandered while Dana and Tela got acquainted, in the deep recesses of my mind deep down within my very soul. A mind was trying to reach out. He knew where to go to get the answers we seek but my own hopelessness had made it difficult for me to hear him. Two words were trying to come forth. Hope Island. The Ecocopter came to a rest on the helipad. We rode it down talking as we went while performing the shutdown. When the pad came to rest we were greeted by Dave, Jake, and Blaylock. Blaylock demanded upon our return, "Report on your patrol," Ignoring the prick "Everyone this is the newest member Tela," I helped her out of the Ecocopter. Dave and Jake also ignored Blaylock by greeting Tela right. This only made the Watcher huff in indignation then I answered "We ran into Wolverine while patrol he informed us that the X-Men were staying in Philly for the duration of this crisis," Dave seemed to be relieved "That is good we are probably going to need them once we find this bastard," "The Ecocopter has proven invaluable as well," Dana reported "Well don't get used to it, we have to return it when this is all over," I reminded her. "I know until we get that behemoth of a helicopter of yours working this eco-friendly chopper has really come in handy," Dana acknowledged. "Do you have anything else to report as far as what happened on this patrol?" Blaylock injected "Yes the Mek'Leth has also come in handy, the Bat'Leth would have been too much now that the air is thinning," I answered nonchalantly. I wasn't really in the mood for Blaylock's attempts at power play; there were bigger concerns. We gave Tela a brief tour of the Lair. She made several comments on how big it was only to be told that it used to be an aircraft hanger that I had sunk while I had my powers. I left them to go back to the Command Center to continue going over every name or place or anything that could finally help us with who is draining the Earth's life force. Tela asked why we still had power when everything else came to a standstill. It was Jake who had answered this time, "Mike has a way of thinking five steps ahead, the Lair is powered not only by Geothermal Power we also have a stream providing us with power through a series of hydro generators," Tela whistled, "This is some setup," While everyone gave Tela the grand tour I sat in front of the monitor, information was flying across the screens. I couldn't help but think about the Pie Piper sitting in his make-believe world that Dana and I trashed. "I did that with the power of the Earth to back me up, now I am facing this with only my wits," I remarked, the information from both Cap's memories and SHIELD ran across the multiple screens. After my little chat with Logan I brought up the George Washington Bridge on an auxiliary monitor, it showed scaffolding and barrages around the framework of the bridge being rebuilt. It was a good distraction, if nothing else it was a good reminder of what I had already achieved. Again I sneered, "I had my powers then," That got me thinking about Jeff and how he was not here. I had no idea how he was after all he got to be frightened, unable to breathe and I was not there to comfort him. Then my mind went to when I was injured by that star-struck fan Erica and how Sol saved me from them. All this thinking kept having me go back to the source of my problems, "Sol, I could really use you now, old friend I know you would have had this figured out by now," I grumbled in despair. It was disconcerting that Gaia in all this time hadn't been able to contact me she should have. So whatever is draining the Earth's life energy has likely also affected her too. I knew it did because my dreams of Gaia being chained told me that she was also in trouble. All of this rests in the hands of me and my mortal friends. And yet through it all, I could almost hear something like my conscience trying to tell me I was doing something wrong. I was glossing over not even paying attention to the computer huffing in frustration. "Are you okay?" I was shocked out of my resolve. I didn't even hear someone enter the command center. I turned to see Tela walking over to me "I am just sitting here wishing Sol was here," She looked at me "What do you wish he was here, he is here," I looked at her "How can that be he is trapped inside a dying planet," Tela looked at me and said, "I can feel two different presents in your mind Mike yours and one other and he is desperately trying to reach you now," I forgot Tela was a telepath "Can you reach him?" "No all I get is Sol's presence and he is really trying to get through to you," Tela replied "Hmmm that makes this feel like my conscience voicing its opinion," I gathered "The Professor might be of some help here he is a very powerful telepath and I don't doubt he will be able to help," Tela recommended "What else can you tell me about Sol?" I asked "Sol?" Tela and I both jump at the sound of new voices. "Damn I am losing my touch," I giggled Tela and I both turned to see Dave enter with Jake and Dana holding hands. The sight made me smile, sensing my pleasure Tela smiled along with me. "I have been sitting here wishing Sol was here and Tela said he was," I answered Jake since it was he who asked the question. "Sol is still present in you?" Dana clarified "Yes Mike is his keeper," Dave suddenly said "But he only comes forward when I call on the power," I shook my head "Sol's body but his mind still resides within you Mike he is there and I can feel him," Tela spoke "What is he trying to say?" Jake asked "Who is trying to say what?" We all turned to see Blaylock enter the command center. "Sol is still here Blaylock," Dana answered her Watcher. "That is impossible," Blaylock dismissed "No it is not Blaylock his mind is still there within Mike," Tela reaffirmed "How can he be here if he is supposed to be trapped?" Blaylock glared "He is trapped Blaylock," I shot back Tela was already not liking this man how Mike dealt with this putz was nothing short of a miracle, Tela reiterated with force and certainty "Sol is there I am sure of it and I think he is now trying to reach me," "I don't doubt it because I was there after Mike was put in the hospital by that star-crazed fan, It was Sol who healed my pupil," Dave marched into the Command Center. Looking directly at Tela "What is he saying?" Dave spoke before Blaylock could come up with something else. Sol looked back at Tela pleased that he could finally get his message through instead of words he projected an image that the mutant could see. "Sol isn't saying anything but he is showing me something an image of an island," Tela answered At those words, I was flabbergasted. I knew Tela was being truthful but that last bit sealed it and I felt so stupid as soon as she said it, "Are you sure?" I stuttered "Yes, do you know what it means?" Tela responded "Son of!" I swore slamming my hand down on the computer console. hard enough to make the keyboard bounce. This made everyone look directly at me "By the Mother's Hand! What the hell am I doing?" I suddenly yelled out. "You are sitting in front of BEATTI cursing at everyone and everything that gets in your line of sight," Dave deadpanned not letting the comment pass "Well yeah that too" I blushed a little at how I opened myself up to that one. "Tela, I do indeed know that island," I answered my mutant friend. It was all becoming so very clear as to where I should have gone from the beginning yet it was only now that it popped into my head. "Sol must have been trying to tell me this whole time and I was so consumed that I wouldn't listen to him," I berated myself "Mike you are not making sense," Jake jumped to my defense "To think I have been wasting all this time when I should have gone one place that would have had the answers," I commented "Where is that?" Tela prompted me to answer the question. "The center of all hope," I responded. It all came to me at once and I couldn't believe that I didn't think of it sooner. My hands flew across the keyboard and an image popped up on the main monitor. A large island appeared. "That is the Island Sol has been trying to tell you about," Tela pointed to the monitor, That puts to rest all doubt to everyone but Blaylock's mind that Sol has been trying to reach out. I knew it well, and as an afterthought, I was going to have to talk to Gaia about giving me access to Planetvision. "What is so special about that island?" Tela prompted "That is not just any island that is Hope Island," I replied "But how do you plan to get there?" Tela asked "Easy I will take the Ecocopter or the Geocruiser they are the only ones that can fly," I told her "Well the Ecocopter in any case Mike we are still repairing the Geocruiser after its run-in with the Argus and SHIELD," Dave recommended There was no point arguing "The Ecocopter it is then," I simply acknowledge. "That could work Mike but once you get there what do you plan on doing?" Dave asked "Hopefully Gaia will be able to help with that," I suggested "Gaia? But she hasn't been able to contact you since this started," Dave pointed out "And what makes me think she will be of any help?" I smiled "Well that and the question of whether she is alive has never been answered," Dave spoke "I know but what choice do we have?" I inquired "Good point," Dave conceded "So you go off to Hope Island, do you even know how to get there?" Tela asked "No," I replied "Then you could be flying around the world looking for an uncharted island," Tela said "Yes," I smiled "That's like trying to find a needle in a haystack," Tela pointed out "Not unless you use a magnet," I responded BEATTI chose this time to pipe up "Sir that wouldn't be necessary I have tapped into the Ecocopter's computer and it houses Hope Island location you can use that to find Hope Island," Smacking myself in the head "Yes I should have known that too," "I will leave at once," I told them "No you are going home and spending time with Brian," Dave said "And watch him slowly die?" I asked him "Should I go to him and watch him suffocate?" I asked tearfully "No but you can go and comfort him because he has to be terrified," Dave responded to me I knew he was right so I left entering the subway and went home. While I was on my way back home Dave, and Jake saw to the Ecocopter making sure its batteries were fully recharged. I got home a short time later to find the entire band laying aimlessly in my living room. God, now I felt like a real heel. I should have checked on them much sooner. "I am sorry I am not around as much as I should be," I apologized "You are busy I know that," Brian responded sounding winded I moved to hug each of them, through tears Nick wailed "Mike what is happening?" "That is exactly what I intended to find out, rest assured the Guardian is here and he will not let you down," I vowed. Saving Brian for last I leaned over and kissed him saying, "I will catch this bastard and I will bring the Mother back," I pulled him into an embrace letting us feel each other. I was being a fool. I love the Earth without Brian the Earth is just a place with dirt. Either way, it gave me a reason to fight; I have loved ones to save. "Brian I have to get back to work I will be back," I told him "I know give the bastard my regards," Brian said with a half smile. I smiled at him and kissed him again. "I have a Bat'Leth that I plan to introduce to that asshole, they will get what is coming to him I will see to it," I kissed my love one last time before I stormed off and returned to the Lair as fast as my subway car would take me. It was time to end this. No sooner had the subway car got back to the Lair it had barely come to a rest at its berth. When I marched off and went straight to the helipad demanding, "BEATTI is the Ecocopter on the pad?" "Yes sir," She replied Before I could get there the car which I had not even left returned I whirled around to see Gregg arrive. In his arms was the limp form of his daughter Krystal. She was almost blue. With his lips trembling Gregg could hardly get the words to form as he cried, "Mike, Krystal is," He cried, "You said I should bring her here," I ran to Gregg and took Krystal from her father's arms, running with Krystal to the medical bay "BEATTI activate the EMH!" I ordered Before me, my emergency medical hologram in the form of Doctor Beverly Crusher appeared "Please state," She started "You've got to take care of my niece this is the only place in the Lair that has a continuous supply of oxygen," I ordered The EMH and I moved to the nearest medical bed and she placed an oxygen mask over Krystal's tiny face. Within moments her complexion improved. "Keep an eye on her. I am more than ever determined to get this creep," I commanded as I left the medical bay Dave escorted Gregg who was instantly by his daughter's side. Dave looked at me I shot him an angry glance, "I am flying out for Hope Island now we can't wait any longer," I told her "If you are going I am coming with you," I turned to see Razeel coming my way. "I can't see why not but we must hurry," I said as we made our way to the helipad powering up the Ecocopter. Inputting Hope Island into the computer its coordinates popped up on the tiny screen. We had a flight plan by the time the pad climbed to the surface we were off. At that moment the sun was just breaking over the horizon and for a brief moment, I felt the Earth she was trying to contact me. She was telling me that I was about to find the answers. "Almost," I said softly "Almost?" Razeel asked "I could almost feel Earth, see she trying to adapt," I told her "So, will the Earth overcome this spell?" Razeel asked "She can overcome almost anything give her time and she can correct most imbalances," I smiled "Do you think she will adapt soon enough?" Razeel asked "No, by the time she does all life will be destroyed," I told her After flying for several hours I saw an object in the ocean and knew it was Hope Island. "Prepare for landing," I told her "Is that it?" Razeel asked "Yes," was my answer Laying with his head against the couch arm Brian Littrel along with the rest of the Backstreet Boys were trying to inhale the very thin oxygen with each exhale there was less and less. Brian prayed Mike pulled through because at this moment he felt as if they were all going to meet Jesus very soon. And this is where I end this chapter. I hope you all enjoy this as much I do writing it. Please remember to Donate to Nifty Please tell me what you think at3unit3@yahoo.com All comments are welcome I also recommend the following stories it was because of them I got into writing in the first place. "Tales of a Real Dark Knight" by authorjames "Marvel Knights" also by authorjames "Tales of the New Phoenix" by Blake "Tales of a Superhero Band" by Leo "Tales of a Young Mutant" by Jeremi "Tales of a Thunder God" by Tony Justiss