CHAPTER 5
"THE AMAZING REX"

PREVIOUSLY:
Lizy's friends helped him get ready for the task ahead of him, giving him a cape and a new sword.

"Huh? What noise?" asked Lizy, not understanding what Slingshot had just told him.

"There’s something going on outside," answered Slingshot as he pulled his head out of the window and headed outside. The others followed him out the door, into the hall, downstairs, and down the street to City Square where the old oak tree stood. A crowd was gathering around a cart with three mice on top, pulled by an old turtle. Lizy and his friends were able to get a front row view of what was going on.

"Maybe it’s a traveling circus announcing an upcoming show!" suggested Sandy.

"That would be nice," added Slingshot, "We haven’t had one of those for a long time."

"It would also be good for calming everyone in Lizard Valley after what happened last night!" Lizy said.

"Quiet!" Chubby excitedly cut in, "They’re starting!"

One of the mice, who appeared to be the leader, jumped up onto the back of the turtle and began. "Ladies and gentlelizards," he cried loudly so that everyone could hear, "We have traveled a great distance, facing perils and dangers on every side to come to your fair and beautiful Valley and present to you the seventy-sixth wonder of the modern world. We present to you, a master swordsman, and the world’s greatest warrior, the incredible, the invincible, the amazing Rex Compaq-Summit!"

A hush fell over the crowd as a puff of smoke came suddenly up out of the cart and, as it cleared, a red, spiked lizard in a dark green cloak appeared atop the cart.

"I am indeed Rex Compaq-Summit," the figure announced, "And I have heard of your recent plight, and your troubles with the notorious Cruel! As an honorable swordsman I have pursued this villain for an extended length of time, and I have come to lend my sword to your cause."

"He’s a mercenary!" thought Lizy aloud.

"You perhaps do not yet realize my worth," Rex continued. "So to prove my usefulness, I will duel one of you one-on-one." He scanned the crowd for a challenger, but saw that though the assembly were excitedly talking among themselves about this, no one was stepping forward. Then he spotted Lizy, with a sword at his side.

NEXT TIME: "The Duel"
Lizy and Rex face off.