An aggressive and sneaky Earth spirit named Zarm tricks the teens into disobeying Gaia, sparking a dangerous game that threatens to lead to nuclear war.

As key World leaders come together under one roof to discuss how to best prevent the growing spread of pollution and o-zone damage worldwide, Zarm returns to earth with a plot to snuff out the Planeteers. Calling a meeting of all the eco-warriors greatest foes, Zarm is able to tap into earth's energies and drain the earth itself of all it's resources. Only Gaia stands in his way, but Zarm has a final surprise to ensure she does not become a problem..

Zarm, having disabled Gaia and re-taken his position as spirit of the earth, begins turning the world into little more than a dead husk. With Gaia reduced to an old woman with not much longer to live, the Planeteers and Captain Planet face their greatest threat yet...

A roofless dictator decimates the land to fight the opposition, with total disregard to the environment and human life. But there is more to the story than meets the eye. The dictator is really an old foe of the Planeteers in disguise.