Joe

Joe the lizard is a recurring character in Stephen Bruno The Book 4 and is the main antagonist.

Story
Unlike the other lizards, Joe was not killed by The Nest like all the other lizards during the war between the rats and lizards as he was on a secret mission for the Lizard Council.

When he finished his mission he returned to the lizard home to find out that all the lizards were killed in a war with the rats and that Stephen was the cause. He vowed revenge on Stephen and traveled to Emerson to plot his revenge.

Noticing the new laws being passed that discriminated against rats, and the new public hate against Stephen he decided to take advantage of it. he approached the Rat Council and told them that he could help them. He told them his plan to get rid of Stephen for good. At first they didn't trust him since he was a lizard, however after Stephen has the police raid their meeting, they decide to go along with Joe's plans and make him their leader. Joe was pleased that his plan was working as he had a secret agenda, he wanted to start a war between the rats and humans.

His first act of leader was having some rats kidnap Stephen's assistant Ernie. Joe hoped that having him hostage would get Stephen to surrender to them. The police attempt to negotiate with Joe, but he refused to release Ernie unless Stephen surrenders. When Stephen refuses he has the rats kill Ernie, this sparked a war between the humans and rats.

Joe orchestrated attacks on local shops and businesses in Emerson to start the fighting. He had rats throw bombs and attack the townspeople. This starts a small war with the rats and the humans.

Stephen later flies Belle to Joe's headquarters to confront him and the council. After he breaks in, Joe sends his guards after him. Stephen, now possessing Alfonso's lightsaber slaughters the rats. Before he is able to do the same with Joe and the rest of the rats, The Nest appears with the Hood Rat and angrily confront all of them. The Nest is angry that Stephen betrayed the rats, but is also mad that the council trusted Joe. The Nest then devours Joe (like the rest of the lizards) and undoes all the damage he has done.

Appearances
Stephen Bruno The Book 4
 * Chapter 14 - Joe the Lizard
 * Chapter 17 - Joe's Plan
 * Chapter 20 - Alliance
 * Chapter 22 - Negotiations
 * Chapter 24 - Rat Attack
 * Chapter 30 - Flight
 * Chapter 31 - Rebirth