Wild Guardian: Issue 1 Chapter 10
By: jungleboy69

Chapter 10: The Beast Awakens

Max lay on his bed one Saturday morning. The field trip, yesterday, was interesting but he still felt a deep void in his stomach. Fortunately, his friends offered him to hang out with them during this weekend. He accepted, though he was still a little worried.

“What’s wrong with me?” he thought “Why am I still worried about yesterday?” He stared up at the ceiling. He sat up and looked at the fox totem around his neck, a little despondent about his feelings.

The door opened and Hamato entered. “Hey, sport.” He said, “You feeling okay?” Mike smiled, a little fake smile. “I’m not sure, Jii-chan” he explained. “It’s like I’m not feeling like myself lately.”

“Well, are you sick or something?” he asked, worriedly. Max shook his head, “No, Jii-chan.” He assured. “I just got a lot on my mind lately.” Hamato smiled and wrapped his arm around him. “Hey, it’s okay.” He assured gently. “You can always tell me.” Max smiled. “Arigato, Jii-chan.”

“Oh, yeah” Hamato said “One of your friends called me on the phone.” “He and some other friends are waiting for you at Misoto’s Noodle and Tea Emporium for lunch.” Max looked up. “That’s where Grandpa Misoto works.” Hamato smiled. “Yeah, I’m sure my brother will be glad to see you and your friends.”

Max smiled. “Sure, Jii-chan”


( 3 hours later…)


Max, wearing a dark gold T-shirt with black jeans stepped out the bus out at downtown with his fox totem was still on his neck. Max walked past a couple of streets until he arrived at Misoto’s Noodle and Tea Emporium. No one was there so he must be early.

“Ding-a-ling!” The bell rang as Max entered the shop. It was a small shop, with quite a lot of customers. Max sat on one of the chairs and rang the bell on the table.

“Ah, yes, what can I get for you?” a voice called and an elderly man dressed in a white chef suit with an apron around him, walked out. “Nice to see you too, Jii-chan” Max smiled. When the chef looked at Max, his eyes widened in shock and his face spread into a wide smile.

“Yamato-san!” Misoto exclaimed. “How’ve you been?” Max smiled back. “I’m fine, Jii-chan.” He added “I’m glad to see that business is working well.” Misoto puffed his chest with pride. “Well, they don’t call me the Noodle King for nothing, you know.” He said. “So, what could I get for you, Maxie?”

Max rolled his eyes and chuckled “Not until my friends are here.” Misoto smiled again. “Really?” he asked. “Who are your friends?” At that moment, Max’s friends arrived.

“Hey, Max!” Mikey cried happily. “Hey, guys!” Max smiled. “Wow!” Jenny said “This place quite packed!” “So, Max,” asked Misoto. “these are your new friends.” “Yep” Max smiled “Everyone,” he said, turning to his friends, “this is Misoto, my grandpa.” much to his friends’ surprise.

“No way?!” exclaimed David. “Your granddad’s the owner of this shop?!” Max scratched his head in embarrassment “Yeah.” He said. Misoto chuckled “Well, I see you coping well, Max.” “So,” he added “what can I get for you kids?” While all his friends ordered, Max smiled that he had friends to hang out with.


(7 hours later…)


Max had a fun time with his friends. After lunch, the friends visited the mall, nearby. Max was overwhelmed by the size of it, but Jenny and the others showed him around. Max never seen so many wonders in such a large place. They played games at the arcade, visited the bookstore, had some ice cream (which Max enjoyed it immensely, although got a little dirty) and they shopped for some phones and clothes.

Now, Max and his friends were just walking home on the street from the mall after a long day. All the while, they were chatting away happily as it was getting late.

“Gee, Jen,” asked Jake. “you seem to be quite a sports fan.” Jenny smiled coyly “Well, I love stay fit” she explained, “Besides, my old tracksuit is getting worn down so now, I’ve got plenty of new ones.” showing off her bags.

“Yeah,” said Mikey, excitedly “I got this new Overwatch video game!” showing off the new game. “Ah man!” cried David. “That’s so cool, Mikey!”

“Speaking of which, Max, why didn’t you buy anything?” asked David. Max just shrugged, “Uh, I didn’t find anything interesting.” Jenny giggled “Come on, Max. Maybe next time, we’ll find something just for you.” Max smiled. “Thanks, Jenny.”

“Hey!” Jake said. “We should do this more often!”, causing the others to agree excitedly. “So, Max,” asked Mikey, “what do you think of today?” Max suddenly stopped and didn’t answer.

“Hey, come on Max” David joked. “Give us your honest opinion.” Max still didn’t say anything. “What’s the matter, jungle man?” Jenny asked. “Cat got your tou---” she stopped when she saw Max’s face. His eyes were narrowed and was staring at something. When Jenny turned in Max’s direction, she froze with fear.

“Hey, Jen,” asked David “why are you so quiet?”. The boys looked forward and all at once, they stopped talking.

In front of them was a man, dressed in a black shirt with red jeans, and his arms were covered in tattoos. On his face, was a stubby beard and thick sunglasses covered his eyes. The man smirked and lifted up his sunglasses.

“Well, well, well,” he sneered. “Look what we got here, boys.” At that moment, four other men stepped out from the shadows, all of them wearing black or dark clothing, and had tattoos on their arms. “Well, boss” said one of the thugs. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves some fresh meat.”

The men surrounded the friends, who were all feeling on edge and huddled together. “Uh, guys” asked Mikey, nervously “Any ideas on how we can get out of this mess?” “Don’t ask me, dude.” Explained Jake, who was also nervous.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, the leader of the gangsters brought out a pistol and aimed it at the teens, making their blood run cold with fear, except for Max. “We’ll start off with the lady” he growled, softly. Jenny gulped. “What do you want from us?” she asked as bravely as she could.

All the thugs snickered. “Well, boys,” the leader jeered, twirling the penknife in his hand “looks like the little lady got more guts than we thought.” The men laughed as the leader advanced towards them. “Oh, nothing” he said, sarcastically “just your money.”

Max spoke up. “Sir, please, we don’t want any trouble.” He spoke, nicely. The leader turned to Max, “Oh, really, kid.” He leered over at him. “Well, trouble just found you.” He then caught sight of the fox totem around his neck. “Oh well, what have we here?” he asked.

In horror, Max covered the totem in his hand. “Change of plans, boys.” The leader said. “We take that boy first.” All of Max’s friends were horrified. “Hand over that necklace, nice and easy, kid.” One of the thugs spoke out.

Max backed away. “I’m sorry, sir,” Max explained “this is my most precious possession and I can’t hand it over to you.” An uneasy silence fell. “Very well, kid” the leader said, before calling out “Boys!”

All at once, the thugs sprang out. “Hey!” Jenny cried “What are you --” she was cut off as one of the thugs grabbed her roughly, causing her to drop her bags and pushed her on her back, on the ground, with her wrists and legs restrained. “Jenny!” Mikey cried out, before another thug grabbed hold of him, making him drop his own bag and put him in an armlock.

“Guys!” Max, David and Jake yelled, rushing forward. However, two of the stronger thugs seized David and Jake while the leader grabbed Max by the hair and placed him in a headlock. David and Jake fought bravely but were wrestled into submission.

“No!” Max cried. The leader aimed the muzzle of his pistol at Max’s head and tightened his hold around Max’s neck. “Shut up, boy!” he growled. “Please, don’t hurt them…” he whimpered. The leader grinned evilly. “I’ll give ya a choice, kid” he explained “Hand over the pretty necklace, or your friends die.”

Max stared at his friends, all of them were on the ground, helpless and restrained. “I’m giving you to the count of five, kid.” The leader growled. Max didn’t know what to do. “Don’t do it, Max!” Mikey called out, only for the thug to kick him on the leg. “Arrgh!” he cried out. “Shut up!” the thug yelled.

“You see?” the leader sneered. “Now, what’s it going to be, kid?” Max looked at each one of his friends in despair. Mikey, David and Jake were all grimacing, their faces contorted in pain. However, Jenny looked the worst. Her blue hair was in a mess, her teeth gritted in pain and from the corner of her eyes, tears were starting to form.

Max’s eyes widened in shock when he saw Jenny. “Counting now, 5,” the leader spoke. “4” Max’s eyes suddenly became shadows and much to the leader’s delight. “Aww~~” he taunted, cruelly “What’s the matter? You scared?” “Leave them alone…” Max’s voice was calm and cold.

“Hey, kid,” the leader growled. “you’re not in a position to make demands so why don’t you just---” “Boss?” one of the thugs spoke.

“Not now.” The leader said. “Anyway, kid.” He continued “I have the gun so why don’t you be a good boy and---” before being interrupted again “Uh, Boss?”

“Do you mind?!” He growled. “I’m threatening a hostage, here.” “So now,” the leader turned back to Max “you’re left with 3” “2” “But, Boss…” the thug spoke up again.

“Oh, for the love of *****!!” he yelled, “What?!” he stopped when he saw the looks of his men’s faces and noticed the teens staring in shock as well. “Oi, what’s you ya’ll looking at?” he asked. “I’m just threatening a kid…” he turned back to Max, only for his eyes to widen in shock.

Max’s entire body was glowing brightly and a strange energy was surrounding him. “What the hell?” the leader muttered. Max growled “I SAID LET THEM GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” before roaring out loud. At that moment, the bright light enveloped him, causing the leader to release his hold on Max in fright. “Max?” gasped Jenny.

To everyone’s shock, Max ripped his shirt again, exposing his bare chest and revealing hundreds of glowing golden tribal tattoos on his body. His fox totem was still around his neck but a strange aura was pouring out of his entire body. His eyes, however, they turned from blue to a feral gold.

“RRRRAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!” Max screamed out, more like a roar. Suddenly, his muscles in his body started to ripple and bulge. As Max dropped down on all fours, stripes stared to form all over his body, white fur grew out, his hands and feet became paws and claws grew out of his fingers and toes. Max grew a snout, his jaws slightly elongated and when he opened his mouth, his teeth grew sharper until they became fangs. Finally, a long striped tail sprouted from his behind.

Everyone stared in shock, more so than Max’s friends as the transformation was complete. Right before them, where Max should have been, was a gigantic white Bengal tiger. “Holy ****!” one of the thugs yelled.

“RRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!” The tiger let out a ear-splitting savage roar which practically shattered every window in the vicinity and cracks began to form on the ground. Jenny, Mikey, David, Jake and the thugs covered their ears at the sound.

Now the tables were turned on those thugs. With a swipe of his paw, the tiger sent the leader flying to a wall. “RRRROOOOOAAAARRRR!!!!” the tiger roared again, turning his attention to the other thugs.

“S-s-s-s-stay back!” one of the gangsters screeched, aiming his pistol at the beast. “ROWWWUGGRRRH!!!” the tiger swiped at his paw, sending the poor man flying to a trashbin. “Don’t just stand there, you idiots!” the leader groaned, “Shoot it!” The other three thugs shot madly, but to their shock, the big cat effectively dodged them with such aglity.

Before the gangsters could react, the tiger pounced on one of the stronger thugs and bit down hard on his side. “AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!” the big, strong man screamed in pain as the fangs sank down in his ribs and the claws ripped his back. The tiger lifted him up and threw him aside, sending him crashing into another thug.

The tiger turned to the last gangster, who looked like he was about to piss his pants. “Arrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!” the poor gangster screamed at the top of his lungs, before he started foaming at the mouth and fainted on the spot.

The leader of the gangsters started in horror, a mere teenager just turned into a huge white tiger and practically destroyed his men. Pulling himself out from the wall, he screamed “Boys, let’s get outta of here!” “Boss, what about the money?” asked one of the thugs who landed in the trashbin. “FORGET ABOUT THE MONEY AND JUST RUN!!!!!!” the leader screamed.

The gangsters didn’t have to ask twice. One of the stronger thugs threw their comrade who fainted over his shoulder and grabbing their boss, they ran as fast as their legs could carry them.

“RRRROOOOOAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!” The white tiger let out a loud roar of victory as he watched the thugs flee for their lives. Max’s friends could only stare in amazement at the creature.

“No way…” David muttered.

Max’s friends froze when the tiger turned and stared at them. A single swipe from those paws could easy tear them apart. They slowly stood up and continued to stare at him. "Rrrrrrgggghhhhhh..." the tiger growled softly. Much to everyone’s shock, Jenny walked forward.

“Max, is that you?” she gently asked. “Jen, what are you doing?” Jake hissed. “Guys, it okay.” She assured them as she cautiously walked forward with her hand towards the beast. "Max, please, is that you?" Jenny pleaded.

The tiger stared at Jenny, then, right before the shocked teens, it began to shrink. The fur and stripes disappeared, the paws turned back into hands and feet, the claws and tail disappeared and the fangs shrank back down to human teeth.

The tiger was gone and in it’s place, was an exhausted Max, panting heavily, half-naked with torn jeans. The fox totem, surprisingly was still around his neck and his eyes became blue again. “Hey, guys...” Max said, weakly before passing out.

"Max!" Jenny and the boys cried out, rushing over to Max. Jake checked his pulse. "It's alright." he assured. "He's still alive."

There was an uneasy silence. Finally, Mikey broke it by asking, “What the hell just happened?”