Wild Guardian: Issue 1 Chapter 25

By: jungleboy69


Chapter 25: Trouble with a Capital “H”!: Part 2

“Alright!” Jake cried out. “Now we’re talking!” He and the others found themselves outside the Bronx Zoo, where hundreds of visitors were entering or leaving. “Well, you certainly seem excited.” Hamato chuckled. “Hell yeah!” Jake replied. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Bronx Zoo!”

“Max,” Jenny said, smiling. “thanks again, for inviting us.” “Oh, it’s no problem, Jenny.” Max replied, smiling back. “Yeah!” Mikey added. “It’s great to get out of the house!”

“Come on, everyone!” Shen Li called, lifting her sunhat. “We should get going!” “Sure thing, Miss Li!” David called, as everyone hurried over to the entrance.

However, they didn’t notice two strange figures dressed in trenchcoats and wearing black fedoras on their heads. “That’s him, the one Master calls the Wild Guardian.” One of the figures spoke.

The other figure nodded. “Yes, he must be the one.” The two strangers followed them into the zoo.


(1 hour and 10 mins later…)


Everyone were now at African Plains, watching herds of zebra, antelope and giraffe graze and browse. “Wow.” Mikey whispered. “It’s amazing.”

“Oh yeah!” Jake exclaimed. “I love being outdoors!” “I can clearly see that, Jake.” Shen Li joked, as she took photos of the giraffes eating leaves from the tops of trees.

“Max, what do you think?” Jenny asked. Max nodded. “It’s beautiful.” He replied. “It reminds me of Africa.” “Really?” asked David. “Yeah.” Max said, with a far away look in his eyes.

“You miss Africa, don’t you?” Jenny asked, smiling comfortably. “Sometimes.” he admitted. “Hey, don’t worry about it.” Mikey assured him, placing a hand over his shoulder. “You’ve got us.” “Thanks, Mikey.” Max replied.

“Come on, everyone.” Hamato said. “There’s still much more to see.” Everyone followed as they continued on. However, they failed to notice the two strangers behind them, following their every move.


(10 mins later…)


The group continued to travel, passing through herds of zebra and antelope. Flocks of birds perch on the trees and flew over them. They even saw some ostriches pecking the ground and a couple of aardvarks raiding in a termite mound. Since they were no cages here, the animals were free to wander around.

“This is a little boring.” David moaned a little. “Aren’t we going to see some lions or hyenas?” he asked. “Patience, David.” Hamato scolded him gently. “We’ll see some, soon.”

“Well, we don’t have to wait long.” Jenny said, pointing. “Take a look.” Everyone looked to see a pride of lions, resting on some rocks in a distance. “Woah!” David exclaimed.

“I hear ya, dude.” Jake added. “The king of beasts.” Shen Li took out hercamera and took some pictures. “Let’s just keep our distance.” Jenny warned. “There’re still wild animals.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Mikey replied. “Still, it would be amazing if they got closer.” “Guys,” Max said. “Yeah, kid?” joked Hamato, before he became slient. “Hamato, what is it?” Shen Li asked, before she and the others looked and gasped.

Standing a few feet before them, were three young lions. One of them, an adolescent male with a small mane around his head and neck, approached closer. With him, were two young lionesses. “Rrrrrggggghhhh…” The lion growled softly.

“Oh s*it.” Jake whispered. “Everyone, don’t move.” Hamato quietly commanded. “Perhaps, they will leave us alone.” They stood as still as possible, hoping the lions would get bored and leave them alone.

The young lion walked closer, putting them on edge. “Hamato, what do we do?” Jenny whispered. “Shhh…” Hamato hissed. “Don’t make a sound.” Max, in particular, wasn’t sure that the big cats would leave them alone. Before he knew, what he was doing, he walked forward, away from the others and straight towards the lions.

“Max, no!” Shen Li whispered in horror. “What are you doing?!” Hamato hissed. “Get back here!” “Don’t worry, Hamato.” Mikey whispered back. “He’ll be alright.” “What do you mean?!” Hamato asked. Mikey just smiled. “Watch and see for yourself.”

“Rrrrggggrrrahhh…” the lion growled again as Max approached him. “Rrrrggguuurrraaahh…” Max growled back, surprising the young lion. To everyone’s shock, Max took off his shirt, exposing his bare chest. Then, he dropped on all fours and crawled toward the lion in an animalistic way.

“Uuurrraaauuuggghhh…” Max growled, his fox totem glowing softly. The lionesses joined their friend, and like the male, they were also surprised. “Rrrruuuuggghhh…” Max moaned. “What’s he doing?” Hamato asked, shocked by his grandson’s behavior. “He’s talking to them.” Jenny replied, smiling as well.

“Uuurraaauugghh…” The lion moaned back, before walking over and sniffing Max on his hair. Max stayed perfectly still as he felt the lion’s warm breath on his hair. “Rrrrrruuuuggggg…” the lion growled softly, before rubbing his huge head against Max’s.

“Rrrrrrrrr…” Max growled softly, rubbing back against the lion’s soft mane. At that moment, the lionesses approached Max as well and each of them nuzzled him gently. Hamato and Shen Li stared in shock while Max’s friends just smiled.

“Well, I’ll be.” Hamato stuttered, while smirking. Shen Li placed a hand over her mouth in shock. “Hhhuuuugggrrraaahhh…” one of the lionesses purred softly, licking Max’s cheek. Max chuckled and stroked on the side of her bare neck gently.

“You should return back to your pride.” He said, patting her gently. The lions seemed to nod their heads, before they turned and walked back to the other members of their pride. Max stood back on his feet and picked up his shirt, shaking it to get rid of any dust, before putting it back on. He turned back to his friends and grandparents.

“Max!” Shen Li exclaimed, rushing over and giving him a tight hug. “Are you alright?” “Yeah, obaa-san.” Max replied. “Max, that was amazing!” Hamato added “How did you do that?”

“Well, Max just has a way with animals.” Jake replied, grinning. “Yeah,” added David. “He seems to understand them better than anyone.” “That’s the thing with your grandson.” Jenny said, while smiling. “There’s never a dull moment with him.” Max blushed in embarrassment at her words.

“Well, you certainly seem to make things interesting.” Hamato said. “Now, let’s continue our visit, shall we?” “Sure thing, Jii-chan” Max replied. After that, the group continued on their way, not noticing two figures hiding in a tree.

“Did you record it?” one of the figures asked. “Affirmative.” The other replied. “Master Hannibal will be pleased.” “That’s still not enough.” The first stranger pointed out. “Master Hannibal wants the one known as Max gone.”

“Agreed.” The second stranger said. “It’s time, we set Operation Destroy Untamed in motion.”