The Pillars of Ponderay (22 page)

“Ready?” Albert said to the others. “I'm going to end this!”

“Do it, dude,” Leroy said.

“Then we can go home.” Birdie nodded. She looked barely able to stand.

Hoyt had a strange glint in his eyes, but Albert figured it was because Hoyt was proud of himself for helping save the day.

“Thanks, man,” Albert said. “You've been an awesome teammate today.”

“Same to you,” Hoyt replied.

They shook hands, and Albert mounted his Jackalope. He rocketed off the Star Pillar, and stopped on the only Pillar that was left. The Parallelogram.

With his back to his teammates, Albert bent down, ready to plug the last Tile in, but then he heard Leroy shouting something.

Albert whirled, and what he saw made his stomach drop to his toes.

Hoyt had taken the Star Tile out of the Pillar and had leaped to the Square Pillar.

Albert watched from afar, horrified, as Hoyt dismounted and stooped to one knee on the Square Pillar.

“No,” Albert gasped, as Hoyt reached down, his fingers an inch away from plucking out the Square Tile. “NO!”

Hoyt removed the Square.

That made three Tiles loose. Three at once.

It was the only rule, and Hoyt had deliberately broken it.

All of Ponderay began to quake.

A
lbert didn't know if the Pillars had feelings. But if they did, then right now, they were
angry.
Really angry. Did the Realm know the difference between
by accident
and on
purpose?
It seemed as furious at Hoyt as Albert felt.

The churning from before was nothing. The Pillars went from their lazy spin to full-speed again, churning faster and more violently than Albert thought possible. Back and forth, back and forth. The ocean below responded with tidal waves, and the creatures reacted in turn.

The Lightning Rays leaped from the water, their electric hides flashing as they tried to strike out at anything they could touch. The Jackalopes went nuts, rearing and
trying to leap away. It took everything Slink had to keep them under control.

Suddenly, the Pillars began to rocket up and down, too, like pistons. Now Albert felt like he was flying and falling at the same time, all while trying to combat the churning, too. He clung to his Jackalope, the only thing that kept him from tumbling into the Silver Sea as the Pillars rose and fell.

“Put it back, traitor!” Albert could hear Leroy shouting to Hoyt.

“NO!” Hoyt shouted back. “Albert has to put his in first! He doesn't get to be the hero today!”

“I'm gonna come over there and push you overboard if you don't put. It. BACK!” Birdie screeched.

That's
what this was about? Being the person to plug in the last Tile?

Of course. Hoyt wanted all the glory.

Albert was in shock. It took all his concentration to magnify his voice with his Master Tile. “Put the Tile back before you kill us all!” The wind seemed to find more energy. Albert nearly fell off his Pillar.

But Hoyt shook his head.

Everyone else just stood there with their mouths hanging open.

“You put yours in first, Flynn!” Hoyt shouted across to Albert.

Behind Hoyt, a Jackalope that wasn't under Slink's
control appeared, bouncing onto the Pillar. Hoyt didn't notice the creature. Albert waved his arms and pointed, trying to get Hoyt's attention. But he wasn't listening.

The Jackalope bounced once, twice, and on the third time, he tackled Hoyt like a linebacker.

The Tile shot out of Hoyt's hands. It ricocheted off the stone floor of the Square Pillar and headed toward the edge. Then, with the next violent drop of the Pillar, the Tile fell toward the Silver Sea.

“NO!” Albert screamed.

Albert's body reacted, and fast.

He plugged the Parallelogram Tile into the Pillar where he stood, then leaped onto his Jackalope. The Jackalope soared across the chasm between the Pillars, a flash and a blur.

Albert could see the Square Tile, falling as if in slow motion, just as Albert and Hoyt had fallen earlier.

His body burned with the desire to save the day, to save everyone in the Core and on the surface.

It was like magic, what happened next. Albert didn't picture the Stretch Tile in his mind. His body took over. The Master Tile buzzed against his collarbone, and Albert watched as his arms doubled, tripled in length, just like they'd done earlier when he saved Hoyt.

His fingertips grazed the Square Tile. He grabbed ahold, just before it was out of reach. His arms snapped back toward his body like a rubber band, and he
clutched the Square Tile to his chest like it was a newborn infant.

Albert's Jackalope landed on the Square Pillar. Albert leaped off and rolled to his feet.

Around him, Ponderay settled, as it realized that only two Tiles were out now. Albert quickly plugged the Square Tile back in, then stooped to one knee beside Hoyt, who sat there, still holding the Star Tile and staring at his hands.

“You betrayed us,” Albert said, so that only Hoyt could hear. The next words he said came forth with such a vengeance that Hoyt trembled as he met Albert's eyes. “You're a traitor, Hoyt. You don't deserve to be a Balance Keeper.”

Hoyt said nothing, but the silence was interrupted by the Counter beeping and blinking like crazy.

One minute left.

Albert grabbed the Star Tile from Hoyt's hands and mounted the Jackalope.

Forty seconds . . . thirty seconds . . .

He leaped back to the Star Pillar.

Fifteen seconds . . . ten . . . nine . . .

Albert dismounted the Jackalope.

Seven . . . six . . .

Without hesitation, Albert plugged the Star Tile in.

Three . . . two . . .

CRRRRACK!
The entire Realm trembled. The sky
roared, and all around, the wind whistled like an angry beast.

Then, suddenly, the Realm of Ponderay fell silent. The Pillars moved inward and slowed to a stop.

Albert looked down at the Counter on his wrist. They'd finished just in time, with not a second to spare. But that no longer mattered.

Balance had been restored.

The ride down was peaceful and quiet.

Hoyt and Mo took a Jackalope down together. Slink and Birdie took another, and Albert and Leroy rode together in the back of the pack. The Hammerfins stayed out of the way and the Lightning Rays took their leave.

At the bottom of the Pillars, they discovered something surprising—Jackalopes could swim. Last time, in Calderon, Hydra had celebrated and laughed, enjoying their time as they left the fixed Realm. But today, as they rode back toward the shores of the Silver Sea, all Albert could think about was how Hoyt had put everyone's life in danger, not just in the Core, but on the surface above. All so that he could look like the hero by placing the last Tile in the Pillar.

They'd worked together like friends, and Albert had enjoyed it. But now he could never imagine being friends with someone who would do something so selfish. He
could never trust Hoyt again. It was too risky.

The Jackalopes carted the Balance Keepers to the top of the cliff that overlooked the Silver Sea, and they rode onward.

“How will we make it back?” Birdie asked as they headed for home. “We ruined all of the bridges.” She slowed her Jackalope down so she could ride beside Albert and Leroy.

Leroy patted his Jackalope's neck. “These guys can jump higher and farther than any creature I've ever known. I'm sure they can handle a few chasms.”

When the first chasm appeared, the Jackalopes bent their back legs and took a
huge
, bounding leap over the edge. The Balance Keepers all held on tight, and they landed safely on the other side.

“They're like real Energizer Bunnies!” Birdie shouted. “It seems like they aren't even tired!”

“Probably all that practice, leaping between Pillars in the Silver Sea,” Slink suggested.

Albert looked down at his Counter, which he had figured out how to set to count upward, instead of down. They'd spent two hours riding so far, and were already halfway back to the edge of the Realm. They were making great time, and at this rate, they'd be back to the Core in just a few more hours. Albert closed his eyes and tried to imagine what was going on inside the Core right now. Even though it was early morning, they were probably
celebrating, while everyone on the surface was probably scratching their heads, wondering why the worst storm ever to hit the western United States had suddenly disappeared.

Albert forced himself to relax, to take the time to look around and remember Ponderay as a beautiful place. It really was gorgeous—the orange of the cliffs against the silver water, the dust of the rocks in contrast with the sparkle of the streams below.

At least I bonded with Slink and Mo
, Albert thought,
made real friends out of them.
And Leroy was having a blast. He was laughing like a maniac, making
yeehaw
noises as he and Albert rode together. Sometimes, Albert had to hold on at the last second as Leroy made their Jackalope do tricks like rear up onto its back legs and spin in circles.

They leaped across more chasms, soared right over the Path of Pillars, and made it across the final chasm within the next hour and a half.

The tunnel to the Core came into view not long after. It was like a dark, yawning mouth, which was oddly comforting to Albert. It also made him realize how exhausted he was. They had battled the Imbalance all through the night.

The Jackalopes slowed as they got closer. Birdie clapped her hands with excitement. “I can't wait to see Jadar!”

“I can't wait to sleep,” Slink said.

“I can't wait to take a warm bath,” Mo added.

“I can't wait to see my dad and call my mom,” Albert said, stifling a yawn.

Hoyt said nothing, just stared ahead like he had the entire time since Balance was restored.

Finally the Jackalopes stopped at the entrance to the tunnel. Everyone slid off their mounts except Leroy. The other Jackalopes raced away, back toward their homes inside the Ten Pillars. But Leroy wouldn't come down.

“I don't want to leave Geoff,” Leroy said, patting his Jackalope on its head, right between its antlers. The creature leaned into his hand, looking very pleased with itself. Albert wondered if this was another Jadar–Birdie moment, like last term.

“Geoff?!” Birdie squeaked. Her ponytail was all puffed up from the wind. “What kind of a name is that for a Jackalope?”

“The best name.” Leroy frowned. “What kind of name is Jadar for a Guildacker?”

Birdie sighed. “Fair enough.”

The Jackalope wiggled its nose, then leaned forward and sniffed at Leroy's pocket like it was hoping to find a snack.

“Well, I got to keep Jadar,” Birdie said, petting the Jackalope's nose.

“And I have Farnsworth,” Albert added. “So I don't
think anyone in the Core would mind if you kept Geoff.”

“I knew you guys were good friends,” Leroy grinned. He patted Geoff's neck and shouted, “Onward, Geoff! Go forth to the Core!” Then he hopped away like he was a great knight atop a noble steed.

H
undreds of voices exploded into shouts and cheers as soon as Albert and his team arrived in the Core.

“You did it!”

“Ponderay is saved!”

“Gooooo Hydra and Argon!”

As the six Balance Keepers made their way inside, they were pulled into hugs and patted on the back. The boys were even given kisses on the cheek by a few of the girls (which Albert promptly wiped away). Leroy rode in on Geoff, and the claps and cheers grew even louder, a roar that could threaten even Jadar's greatest volume. Everyone crowded around Leroy and Geoff, and Leroy looked like he was so happy and proud he was about to burst.

Hoyt didn't say a word. He smiled and nodded his head, then mumbled something about needing sleep.

There was a roar, and Jadar came to greet Birdie, soaring on outstretched leathery wings.

“Jadar!” Birdie ran to him and flung her arms around his thick neck. “It's good to see you! You wouldn't have liked Ponderay, it was cold and wet.” Jadar hissed and snapped his beak, and Birdie laughed, pulling him into another hug. “Don't worry, you're safe and warm here!”

Where's my dad?
Albert wondered. Professor Bigglesby was handing out fizzy blue sodas, and some of the Core workers had wheeled out a giant cotton candy machine, passing giant cones of pink sugary fluff around.

In the middle of the crowd, Albert caught Petra waving. Albert was relieved to see the Homing Tile, still safely around Petra's neck.

“Hey, Albert!” Petra shouted.

“Hey!” Albert waved back. He was about to cross to see his friend when he heard a dog bark twice.

Albert turned and saw his dad's familiar mouse-brown hair peppered with gray, his shimmering emerald jacket. Professor Flynn stood on the arched bridge, looking like he belonged in the Core. Farnsworth struggled in his arms, trying to wiggle away and run to Albert.

“I'm coming, buddy!” Albert laughed, and Farnsworth barked again as Albert ran to them, a smile lighting up his face.

“You did it again, kiddo. My son, the twice hero! Everything in the Core is back to normal. Even the Heart of the Core has regained its color.” Professor Flynn handed Farnsworth over, then pulled Albert into a bear hug. “I knew you could do it. I knew you'd be all right. How was it? I want to know everything.”

He hugged Albert tighter than he ever had before.

When Albert pulled away, he saw relief in his dad's eyes.

“You really were worried, huh?” Albert asked. “It was crazy, Dad. You should've seen the Hammerfins, and the Lightning Rays, and
man
it was cold! And Leroy brought back a Jackalope, if you haven't seen. They helped us get home, because the bridges weren't going to work the second time around and, what?”

Professor Flynn was laughing, shaking his head. “It's nothing,” he said. “I'm just looking at your excitement, and it reminds me of the first time I went into Ponderay. It's a dangerous Realm. I'll never forget my first visit there. I had faith you would be able to handle yourself. You're a Flynn! But of course, with a traitor in our midst, it was natural for a father to be concerned.”

“Yeah, Dad, about that . . .” Albert pulled his dad aside, away from the cheering crowd. They stood with their backs against the cool stone of the curved Main Chamber wall. “Is it Trey? Is he the traitor?”

Professor Flynn pulled back and almost lit his hair on
fire from one of the blue torches. “What? Trey?!”

“I can explain,” Albert said. “I've noticed him following me. He was hunting around by Professor Asante's office, and I think maybe he was in the Library the other night and . . .”

Professor Flynn held up a hand. “It's not Trey. Trust me on that, Albert. I'll explain his behavior later. For now, let's go and enjoy the celebration. You deserve it! The Float Parade is this afternoon. The festivities have only just begun!”

Albert could still see a hint of something strange in his dad's eyes, something he couldn't quite place. It didn't sit right with him, and for some reason, it made his stomach turn. He could tell his dad was holding on to a secret.

But what was it?

Albert wanted to talk more, but he had to admit, he was exhausted, both mentally and physically. And he wanted to find his friends.

“I'll see you later, Dad!”

He gave his dad another hug, then found Leroy and Birdie in the crowd. Birdie was trying to coax Jadar into letting Slink pet him, and a crowd of girls stood around Leroy and Geoff, giggling away.

Tussy approached from the crowd. For once, her face wasn't freshly cut or scabbed, and her hair was smoothed into a bun. She looked, for the most part, harmless.

“You did your job, and you did it well,” Tussy said.

Albert shrugged. “I didn't do it alone.” He looked over his shoulder again, at his friends. He thought of what Hoyt had done in the Realm. Albert could turn Hoyt in right now. After all, Hoyt's mistake had almost cost everyone their lives.

“There's something you should know,” Albert started to say, but then his voice trailed off.

What would that really do, turning Hoyt over to Tussy? He'd create even more of an enemy out of Hoyt. No, Hoyt had made his choice, and now his own teammates knew his true colors. In time, Hoyt would probably end up losing all the power he held in the Core. It wasn't much to begin with.

“What were you saying?” Tussy asked.

Albert shook his head. “I forget,” he said. “Sorry, I guess I'm just really exhausted. Thanks for coming to say hi. I'm gonna go find my teammates.”

“Rest up,” Tussy said. She clapped a hand over Albert's shoulder and smiled. “You deserve it.”

Albert smiled and backed into the crowd. When he found Leroy and Birdie, he pulled them off to the side. “How about we go grab some food, then find some peace and quiet?”

Leroy slid down from Geoff's back. “You don't have to ask me twice.”

“You never change,” Birdie laughed. She linked her
arms through Albert's and Leroy's, and together, the three of them headed away from the crowd with their heads held high, and Farnsworth's bright blue eyes to keep the darkness away.