Wild Guardian: Issue 1 Chapter 26

By: jungleboy69

Chapter 26: Trouble with a Captial “H”! : Part 3

It was lunch time, now. The group were at a pizzeria in the Bronx Zoo, ordered a large pizza and soda. “Oh, thws wis gwod stwff.” Mikey said, wolfing down a large slice of pizza with pepperoni, peppers, olives and onions. “Wou swet it, dwde.” David added, tucking into another slice.

After African Plains, the group visited Tiger Mountain, Bison Range and the World of Birds. For some strange reason (Hamato and Shen Li’s cases), the animals were attracted to Max whenever they visited. The tigers laid near where Max stood and purred softly, the bison gathered around him and flocks of birds perched on his head and arms when he fed them.

“I got to admit, Max,” Hamato spoke up. “you have got a special way with animals.” Max chuckled in embarrassment. “I can’t help it, Jii-Chan.” He replied, taking a bite out of his pizza slice. “I wlways hawe a way with wature.”

“Max’s right, Hamato.” Jenny agreed. “He always has a tendency to make things interesting.” “Yeah!” Jake added. “You would not believe what adventures we had, thanks to him!” “Really?” Shen Li asked. “What sort of adventures?”

David took a gulp from his soda. “Oh, let’s just say, your grandson helped us to get in touch with our wild side.” He replied, smiling. “What do you mean?” asked Hamato.

“AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!” A loud scream sounded, greatly startling the group. “What the heck?!” David yelled. At that moment, a man rushed inside, he looked terrified. “All of you have to leave now!” he yelled.

This caused everyone in the pizzeria to arouse. “What’s going on?!” asked one man. “RRRRUUUUUHHHHH!!!!!” a loud bellow sounded, followed by a loud “CCCRRRAAASSSSSSSHHHH!!!!!!”. To everyone’s shock, a white rhinoceros charged into the pizzeria.

“Holy s*it!!!” David and Mikey screamed. “Everyone, out of the way!!” Hamato yelled. Everyone managed to jump out of the way as the rhino smashed tables and tossed chairs into the air with its large horn. “Urrgh…” Hamato groaned, before turning to his wife. “Shen Li, are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” Shen Li replied. “Well, none of us will be alright if we don’t do something about that rhino!” Mikey exclaimed. The animal was rampaging in the diner, breaking furniture, smashing windows and terrifying the other customers.

“Don’t worry.” Max said. “I’ve got this!” With that, he sprang to his feet. “Max, what are you doing?!” Hamato yelled in horror. “Max, get back here!” Shen Li added, she was very frightened.

Max rushed forward and stood before the lumbering beast. “Hey, you!” he shouted, causing the rhino to lift its huge head and its ears twitched at the sound of Max’s voice. “What is that kid doing?!” asked one of the customers. “Is he crazy?!” “Hey, kid, get outta there!” another shouted.

“Uuuurrruuunnnhhhh…” Max bellowed out, like a rhinoceros, his totem glowing softly again. The rhino snorted and shook its head, it’s horn seemed to shine. “Uuuunnnnhhhhh…” Max snorted again.

“Hhhuuunnnnfffff…” the rhino snorted and pawed the ground with its hoof. Then, it turned towards Max’s direction and lowered its head, displaying its horn and causing everyone in the room to turn pale with fear. “Max…” Jenny whispered, her eyes filled with worry.

“Uuurruuunnnnffff…” Max continued to make gentle snorting sounds while slowly making his way towards the rhino, with his hand raised. Slowly, the huge beast started to calm down and its breath became much calmer.

Max raised his hand towards the rhino, right in front of its horn. The rhino paused for a moment, a slience fell upon the pizzeria.

“Hhhuurrruuunnnfff…” the rhino snorted gently, before nudging his horn gently against Max’s palm. Max placed his other hand under the rhino’s chin. “Uuunnnnffff…” the rhino moaned gently as it rubbed against Max’s body gently.

Everyone stared in shock, a huge rhinoceros was rubbing against a boy as if it was a horse. “Well, I’ll be a ****.” One of the customers commented. Max’s grandparents and his friends were the most amazed. “Max…” Hamato whispered, he and his wife’s eyes were wide in amazement. His friends smiled broadly.

“It’s okay, big guy.” Max whispered, stroking the rhino’s chin and horn. “Max, are you okay?” David asked, coming out. “Yeah, I’m okay.” Max replied.

Slowly, everyone else came out from their hiding places and whispers of amazement were heard. Max’s friends joined him, along with Hamato and Shen Li. “The jungle man saves the day again.” Mikey chuckled. Jenny giggled. “Like I said, you never fail to amaze us Max.”

“Max, you were amazing.” Hamato breathed in amazement. “My boy, you’ve saved us.” Max scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “Uh, I hate to break up this happy moment,” a man spoke up. “but we’ve got bigger problems.” Everyone was confused.

“What do you mean?” asked a woman. “Take a look outside!” At this, everyone hurried outside to see what he meant. Max and his family and friends followed.

Outside, gasps of shock were heard. Hamato and Shen Li were horrified while the teens were stunned with shock. Max, in particular, couldn’t help but stare in shock as well. “What in the world?” he thought to himself.