Max Adventures: Elemental Guardians Episode 4: Protector Of The Wilds

Chapter 2: Some Updates in the Jungle

Everyone was sitting outside eating with Max's adopted parents. At first they were gonna eat inside but the otters' home wasn't big enough. Max and Koda had told everyone their story of being rescued by the guardian when they were kids.

"When we got home and I told Ma and Pa about what happen, they were mad at me for climbing a waterfall with my brother" Max added, remembering how he got scolded for putting his brother in danger.

"But it was also how me and Twitch met Max and Koda. Timber too" Spike said, happily eating the stew that Max's otter mom whipped up. "Mind if I have more?" Spike asked, holding his bowl out to her, smiling big. Mama Otter chuckled, finding Spike's love for food funny as she took the bowl from "Of course Spike" she said as she poured more stew.

Max chuckled at his best friend, shaking his head. "Who's Timber?" Leena asked curiously. "Timber is a friend of mine from when we were kids. I'll introduce you guys to him. If it wasn't for him, Spike wouldn't be here enjoying Ma's stew" Max said, the last part teasingly as Spike looked up from his stew, blinking with his mouth full. Everyone bursted out laughing.

"And guess what? You came back at the right time big brother" Koda said excitedly, his tail wagging happily. "Oh really? And why is that little bro?" Max asked playfully.

"Because tomorrow son is the Sakura Blossom Festival" his otter mom explained and Max's eyes widen surprised.

"It's that time of year already? Wow! Talk about perfect timing" Max said,  surprised that he had forgotten one of the biggest occasions in his growing up in the jungle.

"The Sakura Bloom Festival? What's that?" Leena asked curiously. "Here in the jungle every year, the Sakura Bloom Festival is when we celebrate new life and nature growing and blooming in the jungle. It's really fun. And wait until you see the end of it" Max said excitedly, remembering all the fun times he had in the festival.

"I wanna see the festival! Can we please?" Zinti asked exictedly, her tail shaking. "Maybe another time little sis. We have to focus on our mission" Tazer reminded her calmly, stroking her ears. Adira was near him and smiled at the brother sister relationship between them.

"Tazer is right. We must focus on finding Alghazal and the amulet of nature" Higgabottom reminded him. But Max smiled when he remembered something.

"Actually professor. I think we might have an easier chance to find the guardian this year. Because he actually attends the festival" Max revealed.

"WHAT?!" Everyone, minus Max, Twitch, Spike and the otters, yelled surprised, their eyes huge. "Yeah. The festival is the only time the guardian shows himself to the whole jungle" Koda told them excited as he jumped to his feet. "Koda" his mom said firmly at his behavior and the otter kit sat back down, smiling sheepishly.

"Makes sense. One part of the festival is to celebrate how Alghazal saved the jungle from Lièhuǒ, the Blazing Stag. An evil fire sorcerer who tried to burn the jungle down but Alghazal stopped him" Koda explained as everyone listened.

"Yes. It was a fierce battle between them. But Alghazal won and that's what lead me to choose him as the guardian" Magnus explained, floating near Max.

"So our only chance to get the amulet from the guardian is by attending the festival. Looks like we're staying" Tazer said chill.

"It's not just the amulet we'll need. This year, the guardians will announce their heirs, the next new guardians" Magnus told them.

"So we'll need to find the amulets and recruit the guardians' heirs" Max said serious, knowing this adventure wouldn't be easy.

"Hey big brother there is something else that's going on for the festival this year and I was wondering if you can help me out with it?" Koda asked his brother, suddenly nervous and a little worried. Max was surprised by this change of behavior.

"Um sure. What's up?" Max asked confused. "Well...um...you see...a few days the elders came and told me that...I'm going to do my jungle rite during the festival" Koda told him hesitantly, rubbing his head.

"WHAT?!" Max said alarmed, his yell scaring off the birds in the jungle as they flew off.

But you're only thirteen! And why during the festival?!" Max asked surprised. He knew you have to be eighteen years old to do the Jungle Rite. It was unusual that his little brother would do his Jungle Rite early and during one of the biggest occasions in the jungle.

"We were surprised too" his otter dad spoke as Max turned to his otter parents. "But it was more surprising when the elders said that the guardian requested it himself" he told him which further surprised Max and the others.

"The guardian asked this? But why?" Max asked, wanting answers. "We don't know son. You might have to asked him yourself when you see him" his mom said as Max looked at his brother who seemed worried, looking down.

Max felt sorry for his little brother. He was still young and he was gonna do his Jungle Rite in front of the whole jungle plus the guardian of nature. So it was alot of pressure for the little otter.

Max put on a determined face as he placed his hand on Koda's shoulder who looked up to him, blinking. Max smiled at his brother confident "Then we better start training while I'm around. Because if my brother is doing his Jungle Rite, then I can't miss this moment" Max told him confident as Koda smiled widely at his brother.

"Thanks big bro!" Koda said exicted as he jumped on his brother to hug him and Max chuckled, glad to see Koda cheered up.

"But first, let's go find Timber. We need all the help we can get to find the guardian and get ready for the festival" Max said determined.