CHAPTER 20
"ONE LAST TRY"

PREVIOUSLY:
Our hero, Lizy, and the others began the charge into Lizard City.

Six silent, stealthy lizards snuck craftily down the empty back alleys of occupied Lizard City. Lizy, surprisingly enough, was in the lead. Though their intention was to slip into Cruel's headquarters unnoticed, they were quick about it, running swiftly not wanting to waste a moment. Suddenly the six of them skidded to a stop. Just beyond lay their destination: the old steel mill compound which, as luck would have it, was crawling with guards.

To make matters even worse, a tall metal fence topped with barbwire encircled the compound. Cruel had also had a good deal of the buildings around the compound demolished, leaving a wide empty space of crumbling rubble before they could even reach the fence. They would be easily spotted coming towards the compound with nothing to hide behind. There would be no slipping in here undetected, it seemed.

"Well, here's the real test," Line remarked.

"We may have to use force to get in there," Chubby announced, somewhat alarmed, "And I'm sure there's plenty of reinforcements for those guards over there."

"When we get in, leave Cruel to me!" Rex wishpered, making sure everyone knew why he was present, "I plan to give him a house warming party he'll never forget. The Crown of the Summits will soon be returned to its rightful owner!"

"Nonetheless, there is safety in numbers," Line replied, "I will go with you. Lizy - I think you have a plan to put into action?"

"Right!" Lizy answered, "Chubby, Speedy, and Bob, you'll come with me. Together we stand a chance at freeing everybody."

"But what's Bob going to do?" asked Speedy.

"Err... I'll hold Lizy's sword for him!" Bob spoke up, taking Thunderbolt and stuffing it into his backpack. "You just call me when you need it, Lizy."

"Very well," sighed Lizy, not wanting to argue with Bob's logic - or lack thereof.

"But aren't we getting a little bit excited?" asked Chubby, reminding them of the task at hand, "We still don't know how we're going to get in!"

"Leave it to me!" Speedy insisted. He ran off and returned shortly, dressed in overalls and rubber boots with a toolbox in one hand and a plunger in the other.

"And I thought the yellow lizard with the helmet was a few floors short of a high rise!" exclaimed Rex.

"Speedy!" Lizy shouted in a hushed tone, "What in Zytrolilex do you think you're doing!?"

"You've met Speedy the messenger and Speedy the technical advisor," Speedy began, "Now meet Speedy the genius actor! Back in my college days, I was vice-vice-president of the drama club and had the starring role in our stunning presentation of Romeo and Juliet!"

"You played Juliet?" asked Bob, blinking.

"No, silly!" Speedy replied, "I was extra #3! But that's besides the point - It's time now for my greatest performance: My debut as the gifted head plumber of Swiftfoot and Self Sewage Maintenance Services! This will be as fun and challenging as eating a cherry pie with mittens on!" And with that, he marched up to the main gate of the compound.

"He's going to get himself killed!" cried Lizy, starting after him.

"Let's wait and see what happens first," Line advised with a chuckle and a wink.

"Hello, stinky reptiles!" Speedy greeted the guards. Before he knew it, the main gate was thrown open and he was surrounded six alligators deep by Cruel's minions.

"Hey you!" one demanded, "Aren't you supposed to be tunneling with the rest of the prisoners?"

"Actually, I'm not a prisoner, and I'm here for a more important reason," Speedy explained, "It was brought to my attention that one of the main sewage pipes here has become clogged, and I'm going to have make a fifteen-point inspection of every inch of this compound before I can give the all clear!"

"We don't have any problems with our plumbing," the head guard snapped back, "So go home and board up your windows and lock your doors and wait for us to find you so we can arrest you like everybody else. You don't want to be left out, do you?"

"Okay, but don't blame me when this whole place starts to smell!" Speedy replied, "People have died of less lethal smells than that of a burst sewage main!"

By now, all the guards had gathered around and this was starting to worry them. They talked among themselves a moment until one of them finally spoke up; "On second thought..."

"I knew you would come to you senses," Speedy interrupted, "Because otherwise, your senses would have come to you! Follow me, somewhat-gentlemen, we have not a moment to spare - and we may not have much time left!"

And with that, every single guard worriedly followed Speedy into the main building to begin.

"That was simple enough," Rex stated aloud in disbelief as he and the others walked right through the wide open main gates of the compound.

NEXT TIME: "The Ballad of Lizy and Sandy"
Lizy and his friends attempt to free the citizens of Lizard Valley and rescue his dear friend, Sandy.