With a menacing roar, Spynosaur sprung from the table into the throng of henchmen, a blur of sharp teeth and claws. From her hiding place outside the door, Amber readied herself to dive into the fray, when she remembered what her dad had told her back in the Dino-soarer.
You’re staying put – that’s an order.
Spynosaur didn’t much like giving orders – or following them for that matter – so when he did, Amber knew he meant it.
Besides which, she wasn’t sure her dad actually needed her help. Spynosaur moved like lightning as he punched, kicked and clawed his way through henchman after henchman, knocking them aside like skittles.
“Hey! what’s da big idea, havin’ Spynosaur take on our henchmen?” growled Gums Gambino.
“Please, stay in your seats,” Ego begged the P.O.I.S.O.N. high command as another henchman flew across the table. “I promise you, this will all be over soon…”
“After which time Spynosaur will turn his attention to us!” declared Fandango Scaramoosh. “Where’s the nearest secret escape route?”
“I assure you, there is no need to panic,” said Ego, a henchman whizzing over his head. “Everything is going according to plan.”
“Bravo, Spynosaur!” declared Ego, as the last of the henchmen bounced off the table. “Thirty opponents in as many seconds!”
“I’d hate you all to feel left out – let’s make it thirty-four, shall we?” Spynosaur said, rounding on Ego and the P.O.I.S.O.N. bigwigs.
“You fool, Ego!” hissed Shady Lady. “You’ve delivered us straight into Spynosaur’s claws!”
“Oh, it’s worse than that! If it wasn’t for me, there wouldn’t even be a Spynosaur!” cackled Ergo Ego. He glared at Spynosaur. “Isn’t that right … Agent Gambit?”
Amber saw her dad bristle.
“So, you know who I am … or was,” said Spynosaur, with a snarl.
“Of course I know, you stupid head!” Ego declared. “I shoot Agent Gambit into the moon, and then you suddenly appear on the scene, with the same fighting style … the same bad puns … the same sidekick, for goodness’ sake! It doesn’t take a genius to work out that you have Gambit’s brainwaves. Although yes, I totally am a genius.”
“Are you saying that this manicurist’s nightmare was once Agent Gambit, the world’s greatest secret agent?” gasped Fandango Scaramoosh.
“I can’t take credit for the teeth and claws and tail,” Ego confessed, wafting his hand in Spynosaur’s direction. “You see, I copied Gambit’s brainwaves on to one of my patent-pending brain boxes, but it was Department 6 who stole it and used it to transfer the brainwaves of Agent Gambit into this dinosaur. And you can’t argue with the results!”
A dozen holographic screens appeared in the air, surrounding Spynosaur and the collected criminals. Spynosaur narrowed his lizard eyes, as Amber peeked her head further round the door to get a better look at the screens. Ego had recorded everything they’d done over the last two days. But why?
“I didn’t realize you were such a fan of my work, Ego,” said Spynosaur coolly.
“Indeed I am!” laughed Ego. “In fact, over the last forty-eight hours I have tested every aspect of your remarkable abilities to the limit. Your strength, intelligence, speed, endurance … your courage and skill. And every time, against all the odds, you emerged victorious. Now the esteemed members of P.O.I.S.O.N. know exactly what you are capable of… Now they know the power of my super-secret weapon!”
“The McGuffin? It doesn’t exist. It never did,” Spynosaur growled. “This whole mission was just red herrings and wild goose chases. But why?”
“You really haven’t worked it out, have you?” replied Ego with a sneer. He opened his arms wide and let out a maniacal cackle. “It’s you, Spynosaur! You are my super-secret weapon. You are the real McGuffin!”