Wild Guardian: Issue 2 Chapter 1
By: jungleboy69

Chapter 37: Spirit of the Tiger Part 1

Wednesday may be normal for most students but not for Max. His training with his friends made him stronger and more agile than ever. Now at P.E, he was ready to show how greatly he had improved. Today, Coach Fist said that he had a special lesson for them.

“Alright cadets!” Coach Fist announced. “Today’s lesson is going to be about skill!”

“Yeah!!” one of the bigger students exclaimed.

“Today’s lesson is going to be about focus!!” Coach Fist added.

“Yeah!!”

“Today’s lesson is going to be so intense,” Coach Fist exclaimed. “that even a trip to the hospital can’t fix you up!!!”

“Yeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!” the student yelled so loud

“Yeah!!” Coach Fist agreed. “That’s what Coach Fist wants to hear!!” “Now, everyone,” Coach Fist explained. “here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for!!!”

With that, he gestured a long rope tied to a railing on the ceiling. “Rope climbing time!!!!” All the students groaned. “Seriously, that’s your big lesson?” asked Bruce.

“That’s right, kid!!!” Coach Fist replied. “Rope climbing is the most toughest excerise of any in sports!!” “Now, line up cadets!!!” “Let’s see what you’ve got!!!”

(40 mins later…)

“That was the worst lesson Coach Fist ever had!!!” Coach Fist yelled. In front of him were a class of tired students. Coach Fist had everyone line up and practise rope climbing. So far, only a few of the athletic students were able to make it, Max’s friends were among them. Coach Fist separated them from the others.

“Coach Fist has never seen such a sorry sight!!!!” he roared. “You youngúns are even worse than a bunch of whining babies!!” Now, there were only two students left, Bruce and Max.

“Now, then!!” Coach Fist announced. “Let’s see what the both of you can do!” Bruce stepped forward. “I’ll go first, Coach.” He offered.

Bruce walked towards the rope and grasped hold of it with both hands. He used one of his legs to wrap the rope around it and all at once he started climbing.

Everyone was amazed at how well he climbed. “Woah!!” one of the students exclaimed. “Look at him go!!!”

“Yeah!!!” Coach Fist cheered. “That’s what Coach Fist wants to see!!” After climbing slightly higher than the rest, Bruce slid down the rope.

“Great job, Bruce!!” Coach Fist exclaimed, patting Bruce on the back. “That’s the talent Coach Fist want to see!!” As Bruce walked over to the other athletic students, the coach turned to Max.

“Alright, jungle boy!” Coach Fist called. “You’re last so let’s see what you can do!!” “Come on, Max!” David called out. “Show them what you’ve got!”

“Don’t waste your breath on him.” Bruce nonchalauntly said. “He’s not worth it.” “We shall see about that, Bruce.” Mikey challenged.

Max stepped forward to the rope. Staring up at it, it reminded him of how he loved to climb back in the jungle. Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, Max started to remove his shoes.

“Uhhh, Max…” Coach Fist asked. “Are you sure you want to take your shoes?” Max nodded. “Don’t worry, Coach.” He replied. “I know what I’m doing.” Max stared up at the rope.

Taking a deep breath, Max grabbed hold of the rope and with that, he started climbing with his hands and feet like a monkey.

Before everyone’s astonished eyes, Max climbed higher than any of the other students. He climbed and climbed higher, one hand and foot after the other. For Max, he pictured himself climbing the great tree from his dream.

Max continued to climb until to everyone’s amazement, reached the ceiling. When he looked down, he found himself high above everyone else. All the students and Coach Fist stared in dumb shock, with Coach Fist’s eyes nearly popped out of his sockets while Max’s friends just smirked.

“Alright, Coach!” Max called out. At these words, Max released his hold on the rope and freefall down towards the ground. A gasp of horror rose from the class. Fortunately, Max flipped and landed gracefully on his feet like a cat.

As Max dusted himself, everyone stared at him in amazement. Bruce was the most shocked of them all. Coach Fist walked forward and stood in front of him. “Hey, kid,” he asked softly, “do you know what I call that?” Max was a little worried at the tone of his voice.

All of a sudden, Coach Fist burst out laughing. “Hahahahahah!!!!” “I call that raw talent, kid!!!” he exclaimed with pride. “In all my years, Coach Fist ain’t seen a more skilled athlete as you!!!” Max blushed in embarrassment.

“You’ve got the makings of a man, son!!!” Coach Fist added, slapping Max on the back. “I like that!!!” Everyone was amazed and started whispering excitedly.

Max’s friends walked over. “That’s our jungle man for you, Coach.” Mikey explained proudly. “There’s nothing ordinary about him.”

Max smiled at his friends. Unknown to him, Bruce was staring at him in wonder and some slight respect. To him, there was something more about this so called “savage” than he thought.