Wild Guardian: Issue 1 Chapter 7

By: jungleboy69

Chapter 7: Visions and Dreams


The bell signaled the end of class and students came pouring out off their classes. Max in particular, was with his friends.

“Urrrgh! Finally!” exclaimed Jake, stretching his arms. “My arms were getting tired!” “Come on, Jakey,” Mikey joked “you can take on 5 opponents in dodgeball but you get tired just dancing.”

“Easy for you to say.” Answered Daniel. “Why don’t you ask Dennis to give you a few lessons?” The said boy was practicing some more dance moves.

“So, Max, how do you find the first day of high school?” asked Jenny. “Well, I find it not bad.” Max said with a smile. “I’ll say” muttered Bean. “I wish I was as talented as you.” “At least, you didn’t get to run 20 laps around the gym.”

“Don’t worry, Bean” assured Max “You have other talents such as your great wisdom in Math and Science.” “Ah, shucks, Max” Bean said, blushing. “Don’t say that.”

“Anyway, the field trip to Mc.Hannibal’s factory is tomorrow.” Mikey said. “Oh yeah, I never been to his factory before.” Explained Bean.

“Mc.Hannibal? Who’s he?”asked Max. Jenny answered, “Mc.Hannibal is practically the most wealthiest and powerful man in all of America.” She added, “Almost everyone living in the whole country, has been living well thanks to him”

“Yeah” Bean agreed. “Mc.Hannibal is the most popular man in the whole country.” “Yeah” grumbled Mikey “He’s also a big asshole and and a jerkbag.” “Shuuuussh!” hissed Daniel. “Someone might hear you.”

From the tone of Mikey’s voice, Max knew that this Mc.Hannibal person was someone he shouldn’t trust.

“Anyway, Max, did you want to take the bus home with us?” asked Mikey. Max shook his head. “I prefer walking.” “Okay, suit yourself.” Said Jake.

“Well, we’ll be going Max so, we’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” Said Jake. Max smiled “Sure thing, guys!” Jenny leaned close to him. “Well, I hope we’ll see you around, jungle boy” she said, mischievously and giving a wink.

Max blinked in confusion while the boys chuckled to themselves.

(25 mins later…)

Max was at his front yard of his house. He had just gone up the front yard when he heard a joyful barking.

“Bark! Bark!”. A white dog ran up towards Max and tackled him to the ground, smothering him with doggy kisses.

“Hahahahah!!!” Max laughed as his face was being licked all over. “Alright, Shiro! I’m glad to see you too!” He happily said, giving the dog a hug.

“I missed you too, boy.” He patted Shiro’s head, making him wag his tail. “School is so different from the jungle.” Shiro whined a little and nuzzled his face.

“It’s alright, my friend. I’ll be fine.” He assured the white dog, rubbing his head gently. “Besides, school isn’t so bad. You would love to see it.” Shiro panted happily and barked again. “Bark! Bark!”

Max smiled. “Yeah! You will never believe the friends I made. You’ll love to meet them.” At that moment, a voice said “Talking to Shiro again?”

Max turned to see Hamato and Shen walking toward him, with smiles on their faces. “Jii-san, Obaa-chan, I’m home!” Max exclaimed, walking over and giving them a hug.

Hamato returned the hug. “You seem to have a great first day.” Shen hugged as well. “We’re glad you’re back.” She happily said. “Shiro really missed you for the whole day.”

“I missed him too.” Max said, while rubbing on Shiro’s head who was leaning against Max’s leg. “He asked me what it was like in school.”

“You know, I always find it strange that you are the only one who can understand and talk to him” Hamato pointed out, shaking his head. Shen spoke up, “I guess you just have a special touch with animals, don’t you?” Max smiled.

“Come on, now. Dinner’s ready.” Shen explained. “Sure, Obaa-san.” Max said before walking inside with his grandparents.

(10 mins and much explaining later…)

“I glad that you’ve made some friends in school.” Hamato said during dinner, while Max was busily gobbling down his meal of rice, beans and pork, scattering rice grains.

Max swallowed his food and licked his lips. “Thanks. Jii-chan.” He said. “I’m just glad that some students aren’t afraid of me.”

Shen Li smiled. “I’m glad you feel that way.” However, she noticed Max’s solemn expression. “Max, are you alright?” Max looked up in surprise. “Yeah, I am, why?”

“Well, you look to be rather worried.” Shen Li explained, causing Hamato to look at Max with worry as well. “Did something happen in school?” she asked. Max was a little unsure at first, not knowing how to answer. “Everything’s alright, obaa-chan.” He assured them “I had a good day.” His grandparents signed in relief.

“That’s good,” Hamato said. “Just be sure to tell us if something’s wrong” Max nodded but secretly, he was worried about the event at the gym and wondered if it had something to do with the strange dreams he was having

(That night…)

After reviewing his lessons and brushing his teeth, Max lay on his bed, half naked and wearing only his pajama pants, staring up at the ceiling. Shen Li had already bid him goodnight but Max was still worried.

The event at the gym still bothered him. What could have happened to him with Shun? “I didn’t know what came over me.” He thought, “I felt something inside me, something strange and a bit inhuman.” He shook his head. “No, it’s probably nothing. Maybe it was just my imagination.”

Max’s eyelids grew heavy and he yawned. “Maybe sleep would take my mind off things.” With that, Max fell asleep, unknown to him, that tonight, he would have the strangest dream yet.

(Max’s dream…)

Max found himself wearing his loincloth and in a dense jungle, just like the Congo where he grew up. Max looked around, he could hear the sounds of birds, frogs and monkeys. What caught his attention, were all sorts of animals he saw, antelopes and forest hogs were grazing, birds perched on the tree tops and monkeys swinging to the trees.

Max could hardly believe his eyes, he missed the jungle and all of the creatures that lived in it. One of the antelopes walked towards him and nuzzled him gently. Max gently patted it on the snout.

“Max~” a voice spoke up. Max’s eyes widened, it was the same voice he heard as a child, He looked around to see the voice again.

“Max~~” the voice said again in a playful manner. Max looked and right before his eyes, was the small blue wisp he encountered back in the jungle those years before. “It’s you.” He whispered. The wisp giggled, “I’m glad you remember me , Max.”

Max was confused, “How do you know me?” he asked. The wisp simply answered “Follow me, Max and I’ll show you.” With that, the wisp flew off, deeper into the jungle.

“Hey wait!” Max cried out and took off after it. He dashed through the undergrowth, following the trail of blue light the wisp left. Hoping to move faster, Max started climbing a tree and swung from the vines as boldly as the grey ape.

As Max moved through the trees, he immediately felt a sense of adrenaline rushing through him and smiled wildly. The excitement, the freedom of the wild, how he had missed it. He continued to follow the trail of light until it came to a stop.

He arrived at a grove of trees that led him down a path. Max slid down the tree and stared at the path in amazement. All of a sudden, hundreds of wisps appeared forming a trail. “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” He whispered to himself before following the trail of wisps.

He had no idea how long he walked until he came into a large clearing. To his amazement, he saw all sorts of creatures, from bird to beast, prey to predator, elephants, rhinos, eagles, baboons, panthers, lions, gorillas, cheetahs, pythons and more. He even saw animals from other habitats like timber wolves, grizzly bears, komodo dragons, falcons, tigers, pandas. It seemed every animal across the entire world was here. However, it wasn’t the only thing that caught Max’s attention.

Right in the center of the clearing was the biggest tree he had ever seen. It’s trunk was wide and the roots were large enough to fit a man inside if they were hollow. Above the tree tops, the branches stretched out as if to touch the clouds and the leaves provided cool shade.

Max stared in wonder for a moment then “Shhheeerrriiiaaakkk!”, a loud screech sounded. Max looked up to a martial eagle perched on a tree root. Max’s eyes widened for a moment. “Rafiki? Is that you?” he asked, remembering his eagle friend back in the Congo jungle, just one of the many animal friends he made.

“Shheeeerrriiaakkk!” The eagle screeched again, then flapped it’s wings and flew off to the tree top. At that moment, the trail of wisp started to go up the tree, beckoning Max to follow. “Well, I better start climbing” Max said to himself before making his way up the tree.

Max climbed a lot of trees back in the jungle so he didn’t find it difficult. He wasn’t expecting what he would find at the top. It felt like he was in another world up here. All around, he saw paintings of a warrior changing into different kinds of animals. Right in the middle, he found the strange blue wisp.

Max quietly approached it and asked, “Please, may I know who you are?” At these words, the wisp started to glow brightly. Max covered his eyes as the light flooded the entire tree top. When the light died down, Max opened his eyes and to his shock, right before him, was a beautiful woman. She had long golden hair and wore a lovely Roman green dress. She wore a laurel of flowers on her hair and her sapphire eyes shone brightly as she smiled at him.

Max stared in amazement and wonder for a moment. She looked as if she was a princess or a queen. “Hello, Max” the woman said gently. Max blinked in confusion. “How do you know my name?” he asked. The woman smiled again, “I know who you are, Max” she explained. “I’ve been watching over you ever since you’re little.” “You have?” Max said, confused. “Yes, Max. I was the one who sent those wisps to guide you.”

Max was surprised, she was the one who helped him out in the jungle. “I’m glad to see you again, Max. I am Mother Nature.” Max’s eyes widened in astonishment, the living spirit of all natural living things, the living embodiment of the entire Earth itself, was right before him!

“I can’t believe it.” He whispered. Mother Nature giggled “I assure you, my child, this is all real and I am glad that you are here.” She said. “I know you have many questions, Max but the answers will come to you in time.” Max was confused, “I don’t understand” he said. Mother Nature smiled kindly and cupped his cheek with her hand

“Max Yamato, you have been given a special power and with it, you are going to be responsible for great things.” Mother Nature explained. “The dreams that you had are all signs that I sent to you.” "They will be many challenges ahead of you but I know you will prevail."

Max was even more surprised, what did she mean? Before he could ask, Mother Nature leaned close to him and whispered in his ear. “I'll see you soon, my champion~~~~” “Champion?” asked Max, confused.

“Listen to your heart, Max and you’ll understand.” Mother Nature said, before lifting into the air and burst out in a bright golden light. Max felt a strong wind blow against him and he held up his arms to shield himself from the light. “Wait!” he cried. “I don’t understand! What do you mean?”

The last thing he remembered was Mother Nature’s voice, “Good luck, my wild champion~~”

(Dream end...)

Max woke up in a start, his brow and bare chest was sweating and his heart was throbbing a little. He looked around to see that he was in his room again.

“What was that?” he wondered to himself. “Was it a dream?” “It seemed so real.” His thoughts went to the beautiful woman “Mother Nature. What did she mean and why did she call me her champion?” Max laid back down, wondering what her words meant.

As he drifted back to sleep, he failed to notice that the fox totem around his neck, it’s eyes were glowing slightly before dying down.