CHAPTER 13
"A LAST-DITCH EFFORT"

PREVIOUSLY:
Despite his heroic efforts, Lizy was unable to defeat Cruel.

By the next day, Cruel had taken control of Lizard City, and had cut off all access to and from the King’s castle. As for Lizy, he and the others had taken refuge at a secret base deep in the mountains near Mt. Lizard. Already, word had reached most of the remaining troops in the Valley’s army, and they were beginning to regroup there. A simple network of caves now made up the new temporary seat of government, with none other than Lizy in charge!

"With the King literally under house arrest, as the Guardian of Lizard Valley, you're the head of state now," the technically-minded Speedy explained. "And since you're the leader now, any counter measures against Cruel would be under your direction!"

Speedy, Chubby, Lizy, and Slingshot (who was making a delivery out-of-town when the invasion happened, and thus escaped) were in the deepest chamber of the caverns where an office had been set up for Lizy.

"We'd better not strike until we're good and ready!" Chubby advised. "So far, we only know of two of our generals that escaped, and most of the Valley’s citizens - and army - are still being held captive by Cruel. We'll only get one shot at this, so we better make it good!"

After the confrontation with Cruel, Chubby's armor and most of his equipment had been damaged beyond repair and were now useless. But since Lizy wanted to give Chubby and Speedy small medals to thank them for helping him out, someone had lent Chubby a shirt (which was much too small) to pin his on. But since they didn't have the time to present them (or the medals themselves), he really didn't need it after all. Nonetheless, Chubby had decided to keep it anyhow (if only because he was having trouble getting it back off).

"I'd like to know what Cruel intends to do with his prisoners," Slingshot spoke up. "Something dreadful I would imagine! And there's no telling what will happen to the King or Uncle Line."

"I wouldn't worry too much about the King," Speedy replied, "He's the only who could possibly match Cruel's power one-on-one. And Guardian Line is one of the most intelligent and skilled swordsman in all of Lizard Valley. Cruel will be careful when dealing with them, but there's still not much they can do locked up in there like that. This is more frustrating than picking the raisins out of my cereal in the morning!"

"If you don't want the raisins, then why do you buy that kind of cereal?" asked Chubby.

"Never mind that, Chubby," Slingshot interrupted, not wanting to waste time with such a mindless conversation. "So then, what's our next move, Lizy?"

"Well," Lizy began, "I'm going to need some help in this! You three are such very trustworthy friends, and you have a very diverse range of knowledge between you, so I think that I'll make you my personal assistants!"

"Not me, thank you," Slingshot confessed with a chuckle, "I'm flattered by the offer, but I'm just a blacksmith like you, and they're going to need me down at the forges to help get all the equipment needed back in shape."

"How about you two?" Lizy asked, turning to Speedy and Chubby.

"We're good to go!" Speedy answered with a wink and a thumbs-up.

"Good!" said Lizy. "Chubby, you can be my military expert, and Speedy, you can be my personal messenger and technical advisor. Now let's get started on our plans to take back Lizard Valley! Don't you worry Sandy, I'll save you yet! Cruel hasn't seen the last of me!"

NEXT TIME: "A Stroke of Good Luck"
News regarding the fate of Lizard City makes its way to Lizy.