Wild Guardian: Issue 1 Chapter 14
By: jungleboy69

Chapter 14: The Legend

The teens stared in shocked silence for what seemed like forever. Finally, David spoke up, “Man, that lady’s hot.” At that, Jenny slugged him on the shoulder. “Ow!” David exclaimed “What’s that for?!” Jenny shot him a look, “Don’t be such a pervert and show some respect!” she hissed.

Mother Nature giggled “Well,” she teased “you certainly are a sly one.”, causing David to blush in embarrassment. “Anyway,” Mikey said, “we should introduce ourselves.” Mother Nature smiled. “There’s no need for that, Michael.” She said, shocking everyone.

“Wait?” Mikey asked in surprise. “How do know my name?” “Well,” Mother Nature replied, “I know the names of every being on Earth.” “How do you know that?” asked Jenny. “Who are you?”

“It’s because she’s not a human, guys” Max explained, making his friends look at him in confusion. “Max, what are you talking about?” Jake asked. Max turned to his friends. “This woman,” he stated, “is none other than Mother Nature.”

You could have heard a pin drop inside the cave that day (if anyone had a pin with them, off course).

Then, 3…, 2…, 1…

“EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” the reaction was instantaneous, causing Max to step back in shock and Mother Nature to giggle slightly. “No way!” exclaimed Mikey. “This can’t be! I mean, Mother Nature is just a figure of speech!” “OMG!” Jenny exclaimed too. “That’s really Mother Nature?!”

Max couldn’t help but chuckle. “Guys, it’s okay.” He assured. “Why aren’t you freaking out?!” David shouted. “It’s because I met her already!” Max exclaimed. This caused everyone to be silent. “You know her?” Jenny asked. “Yeah, I met her in one of my dreams.” Max explained.

“In your dream?” asked Jake. Max nodded. Mother Nature spoke up. “It’s true, children. I assure you I am real.” By now, everyone calmed down. “Sorry about that, Miss Mother Nature.” Jenny said, her face red in embarrassment. “It’s alright.” Mother Nature assured. “I understand you must be confused.” “And just calm me Mother Nature.” She added.

“So, what did Max mean that he met you in his dreams?” asked Mikey. Mother Nature smiled, “I just came to see my champion of nature.” Everyone was confused and looked at Max, “Champion?” they all asked. “Yeah,” Max admitted “When I first met her, she called me her champion and said I was destined to do great things, but I didn’t understand what she meant.”

Mother Nature said “Then, I believe it’s time you know the truth, Max.” Everyone turned to Mother Nature. “What do you mean, the truth?” Jake asked. Mother Nature smiled again then looked straight at Max. “Max,” she asked, “I know that you have a close bond with all creatures, is that so?”

Max nodded. “Yeah, my parents always said I had a gift, but I thought they were just joking.” Mother Nature shook her head gently “No, Max.” she said. “Your parents are right.” Max and his friends were surprised. “What do you mean, by that?” asked Max.

Mother Nature continued “Max, do you know why you are able to befriend any creature or how you can understand or speak their languages?” Max was even more confused. “Do you remember the night when you have gotten lost in the jungle all those years ago?” she asked. Max nodded. “Yeah” he replied, “I was just a toddler at that time and I met this strange blue wisp of light and it …”

Max stopped in his words and his eyes widened in shock as he stared back at Mother Nature. The said spirit smiled “Yes, my child.” She said. “I was the one who found you and led you to a cave just like this.” Max’s friends felt their breaths knocked out of them as they listened in shocked silence. “I was also the one who gave you the strange power that you now possess deep inside of you.” She added.

“Woah, woah!” Mikey spoke up. “Back up! You mean to tell us that our friend has a special power inside of him?” he asked. Mother Nature nodded again. “Yes, my child, for your friend has been given a special power by the Spirits of Nature themselves.” “The Animus Totem.” She stated.

Everyone was silent. “The what again?” Mikey asked. “The Animus Totem.” Mother Nature repeated. “It is an ancient and mystical artifact forged by Anansi himself.” “Wait a minute,” David asked, in shock. “Anansi, as in the spider?” “Yes, David.” Mother Nature said. “The totem was created by him.”

“What does this have to do with Max?” Jenny asked. “I sense the concern in your voice, Jenny.” Mother Nature. “You have nothing to fear. The Animus Totem only chooses a user who has a pure heart and a strong spirit among nature and her creatures.” “Okay,” Max said. “why did this Animus totem choose me?”

Mother Nature smiled. “It is quite a story, my child and I believe you and your friends should hear this.” As she did, she raised her arms and to the friends’ amazement, the paintings all around the cavern glowed brightly and the walls glowed a brilliant blue, making the paintings stand out. When Mother Nature began her story, the paintings seemed to come to life.

“Long ago,” Mother Nature started, “the world was created by me, the Spirits of Nature and the Guardian Beasts, large and inmmensly powerful creatures” The paintings showed images of spirits that looked like human beings and large powerful creatures that resembled modern day animals, but much larger. Two of the biggest beasts resembled an Eastern dragon and a pheonix. "We created the land, sky and sea, with all the mountains, plains and forests." The images changed to the world being created by the spirits and beasts. Everyone watched in amazement and wonder.

"I created all creatures, birds, beasts, fishes even insects." Mother Nature continued. "Some of the creatures were even created to look like the Guardian Beasts, but they were not as large and powerful as them." "Finally, I created Man." The image of every animal was shown, as well as an image of a man and a woman.

"Woah..." Mikey whispered

"At first, man lived alongside nature and respected her creatures." Different villages were shown, with people tending to crops, harvesting fruits, hunting, fishing or playing games. "It was a peaceful time and magic was everywhere." "Sadly," Mother Nature frowned as she explained. "some of Man's descendants believed that they were more superior than others species, even to their own kind and sought to dominate the earth."

The next images were horrifying for the friends. Tribal warriors were seen attacking villages, setting them alight, killing innocent men, women and even children, while others were seen burning down forests and plains, killing hundreds of animals. Jenny covered her mouth with her hands and her eyes were wide in horror.

"There were still those who still live in peace with nature but they had to contend with their hostile and greedy neighbors." Mother Nature continued. "However, there was one person whose loved nature, bird and animals more than anyone." An image of a brave young man surrounded birds and animals appeared. "His name was Tantu, a brave but compassionate warrior from a tribe in the jungles of Africa."

"Cool." David muttered, with Jake nodding in agreement. Max could only watch in silence

"Tantu was deeply saddened to see his human neighbors being cruel and selfish to other creatures." "So, he prayed to the god, Anansi to protect his people, his jungle home, and the creatures he loved." The image showed Tantu, kneeling down in a prayer like position. "Anansi is known for being a trickster, capable of taking the shape of any creature to combat or trick his opponents."

"Touched by his dedication, Anansi empowered the Animus totem." The image showed a strange golden orb, emitting a golden mist which formed the shapes of different birds and animals of different habitats. "With the power of the totem, Tantu was able to speak the languages of all birds and beasts, understand their emotions and even shapeshift into any animal."

Everyone's eyes were so wide, that any wider, they would pop out. "Shapeshift?!" Mikey exclaimed. "That's what you did, Max, when you turned into a white tiger to save us!" Max blushed in embarressment.

"Tantu used his new power to protect his home, his people, and any creature in need. With that, he became known as the Wild Guardian." Mother Nature showed images of Tantu rescuing people and animals as well as protecting them from danger. "As time went on, Tantu grew curious about the outside world, so he decided to leave his jungle home and travel to search for new adventures."

"During his travels, Tantu made many brave and loyal friends, human, animal and even spirits from the four corners of the world." The next images showed Tantu travelling to different lands, meeting and befriending new people. "Together, they travelled, all the while, visiting strange and exotic lands and protecting people and nature from those who seek to harm it." "As they did, their name spread far and wide and they became known as the Guardians of Earth." An image of Tantu was seen with quite a large group of friends "Tantu even attracted many lovers." Mother Nature added, while giggling, making everyone blush.

"Woah, that's a lot like Power Rangers." Jake commented. "Yeah, and he is quite the chick magnet." Joked Mikey. "However, something terrible happened." Mother Nature added, making everyone attentive again.

"An ancient evil had been awakened, the Devourer." The image showed a gigantic and terrifying black demon with pale ghostly eyes, making Max narrow his eyes and his friends gasp in horror. "The Devourer rules over chaos and darkness, pain and sorrow." Mother Nature explained. "He and his demonic army, rampaged across the land, destroying any living soul and thing." The next image showed the Devourer sending hordes of demons and monsters to attack birds, animals and people.

The image changed and showed Tantu and all his friends fighting the demon army "The Wild Guardian and his allies, together with the Guardian Beasts and the Spirits of Nature themselves, united man and beast together and battled the Devourer and his army, for many years." "In an epic final battle, Tantu and the Guardian Beasts, summoning all off their powers, defeated the Devourer and sealed him away in the depths of the Earth." The image showed Tantu and the Guardian Beasts charging towards the Devourer in a flash of light and sent him falling into a dark abyss.

Everyone was shocked by this, the new image showed all of Tantu's allies sobbing uncontrollably. Mother Nature had tears in her eyes as she spoke. "The Devourer was gone, but sadly so were the Guardian Beasts and Tantu. The Animus Totem was retrieved from the aftermath." Max and his friends were saddened by this, this brave warrior gave his life to protect the whole world. "To honor their noble sacrifice, Anansi and I, along with the Spirits of Nature, hid the Animus totem in a secret cave and carved stone statues of the Guardian Beasts to guard it."

"Tantu's allies went their separate ways but continued to follow and respect his love for nature." Mother Nature continued. "However, it is said that the Devourer will be free once more and will renew his plan to plunge the Earth in chaos and darkness." Everyone gasped at that.

"Fortunately, when that day comes, a new Wild Guardian will be chosen, by the Spirits of Nature, someone has a kind heart, is loyal to family and friends and has a strong bond with all of nature's creatures." Finally, the last image shows a little toddler in a cavern, encountering the totem. Max gasped, "Now, he has been found," Mother Nature said, smiling at Max.

Everyone turned to Max in shock. "No way!" Exclaimed Mikey. "Are you saying?!" David gasped "It can't be?!" "Me?" Max said in astonishment.

Mother Nature nodded her head. "I sensed your love for all creatures and knew you had a pure heart. That's why I chose you, Max, for you are the new Wild Guardian." Max was beyond shocked, he was speechless.

"I always knew there was something different about me," Max said. "but, I never imagined..." He trailed off, unable to say anything. "I know it's hard for you to take it all in," Mother Nature said kindly, "but I assure you, my child, you are the Wild Guardian, destined to protect humanity and nature and defeat the darkness once more."

Max continued to remain speechless. Finally, he spoke. "Mother Nature, I don't know what to say." Mother Nature smiled. "You don't have to say anything, Max." Jenny squealed "Max, this is amazing!" "Yeah, dude!" Added Jake. "You're going to be a hero!" Max's face grew redder.

"In a way, yes," Mother Nature giggled "I know you will be a great Wild Guardian, like Tantu." Max blushed. "Thanks, Mother Nature." He added. "If I really am the new Wild Guardian, I will do my best to protect nature and humanity." "Thank you, my child." Mother Nature said. "I'm glad to hear that."

"There will be many trials, hardships and challenges ahead of you, Max" she added, "but I am confident that you and your friends will make it every step of the way." "She's right, Max." Mikey added, smiling and flashing a thumbs-up. "We're all here for you." Jenny clasped his hand in hers "We'll always be by your side." David and Jake nodded in agreement.

"Thanks, everyone." Max said. Mother Nature smiled at the sight. "I must be going now." She said. "Mother Nature, will we see you again?" Max asked. "I'll always be watching over you, Max, and your friends too. I wish you luck, my champion." She said, with a smile. With that, a bright light enveloped her and she disappeared.

Everyone stared in amazement, wondering if it was real or just a dream. Finally, Max walked forward and picked up his fox totem necklace. "Well, guys." He said, turning to his friends. "Let's find my grandpa."