The Pillars of Ponderay

  Birdie leaned forward. “Why couldn’t you just borrow Jadar and fly to the top of the Ten Pillars? Then the Jackalopes couldn’t reach you!”

  Professor Asante chuckled. “That’s a brilliant idea, Miss Howell, but a companion creature from one Realm cannot enter another. It would upset the Balance on its own.” She sat back in her chair and sighed. “I fear I’ve already given you enough answers for tonight. It’s time you were on your way.”

  Albert nodded, lost in thought. Professor Asante had already given them lots of information, but nothing that would help them win in the Pit. And even though his heart was full of fear for his dad, he still had a job to do here. He put on his brightest, most charming smile and leaned forward. “Before we go, Professor, could I ask one more question?”

  Professor Asante nodded, and Albert went on.

  “If we wanted to be the very best that we could be as a team in the Pit, what would you suggest we do next time?”

  “Yeah, I’d like to know your best advice,” Birdie added, leaning forward. She nudged Leroy, who shrugged and gave his very best puppy dog eyes. Even Farnsworth wagged his tail like he was begging for a cookie.

  Professor Asante sighed. “You’re clever, Hydra, and I like your determination, so I’ll offer you a single bit of advice.”

  She wheeled her wheelchair closer, coming to a stop just in front of the couch. “Remember what I said about the Means to Restoring Balance. You won’t just be collecting Tiles in Ponderay. You’ll have to put them back where they belong. You must be ready to work as a team. I cannot stress that enough. Argon is working well together, and it’s moving them up in the leaderboard. Last term, I would have chosen Hydra as my champions. But this term”—she took a deep breath and nodded—“I’d be proud to have either.”

  “We’ll get you on our side,” Birdie said. “We’ll do our best to make you proud.”

  “You don’t need to make me proud,” Professor Asante said. “You need to save the Core, and in turn, the entire world.”

  She turned to wheel away, but Leroy cleared his throat and spoke up. “I’m just wondering, why don’t we already know the exact way to solve the Imbalance, with the Pillars and their Tiles? You said an Imbalance happened a long time ago. Don’t we have, like, old journals or notes or something from past Balance Keepers who saved the world?”

  Professor Asante’s face was grim. “There are documents for every Realm, from centuries ago, that have been preserved by the Core Watchers.”

  “So why not just go and read those?” Albert asked. Leroy nodded in agreement.

  “We cannot turn to them,” Professor Asante said, her voice as serious as death, “because they have been stolen.”

  The room was totally silent. Albert’s heart raced in his chest. It was the traitor.

  There was no other explanation. It had to have been. The very same person who created the Imbalance stole the documents, so that no one would know for sure how to solve it.

  Albert clutched Farnsworth as if he could ward off the dark thoughts that were entering his mind.

  What kind of person would want to do such a thing to the Core, and in turn, the entire world?

  “You’d better be on your way. Tomorrow marks five days,” Professor Asante said. “Rest up, Balance Keepers. You’re going to need it.”

  Albert and his friends stood up to leave. They made their way slowly through the winding dark tunnels. Farnsworth led the way, and the padding of his paws was the only sound to be heard. Not a single member of Hydra said a word, but a silent message seemed to pass between the three of them.

  They had to get better. For Albert’s dad. For Albert’s family. For the rest of the world. Next time they were in the Pit, they had to win.

  CHAPTER 14

  The Cave of Whispers

  Albert woke early the next morning to the soft blue gleam of Farnsworth’s eyes.

  “What time is it?” Albert whispered. “Go back to sleep, buddy.”

  Farnsworth whimpered and flashed his eyes. Before Albert could roll over, the dog dropped a slobbery envelope onto Albert’s chest. That got his attention. Albert sat up, suddenly wide awake.

  “Is it from my dad?” Albert asked as he scooped up the envelope. Sure enough, he saw his name scrawled on the front in his dad’s typical chicken-scratch handwriting.

  This envelope was heavier than usual. As soon as Albert opened it, an ornate golden key tumbled out, landing with a soft thump on Albert’s lap. It glittered a strange blue-green in the light of Farnsworth’s eyes.

  “What’s this?” Albert held up the key.

  Farnsworth whined again. The light in his eyes grew so bright that Leroy groaned and slammed a pillow over his face.

  “All right, all right, I’m coming,” Albert whispered. “As long as you take me to whatever door this key belongs to.”

  Farnsworth winked a knowing, glowing eye. Albert climbed out of bed, laced up his boots, and followed Farnsworth out the flap of the tent.

  For this early in the morning, the Core was surprisingly full of life. Albert passed three Core workers on the way to the Main Chamber. They had hard copper miner’s hats on, like the Path Hider’s, and were busy looking at a blueprint of one of the tunnels. A group of Core Cleaners scrubbed the statue of Frog Man.

  “Good morning.” Albert smiled and waved as he passed by the workers and marched out into the Main Chamber. The first thing he noticed, much to his dismay, was the glowing red 5 on the clock. As if I really needed the reminder.

  Professor Bigglesby, an ancient dwarf who had a disturbing obsession with Core weaponry, stood on one of the bridges in the center of the room. He had a gleaming golden sword in his hand, and was practicing slicing and jabbing at the air.

  “Up so early, Mr. Flynn?” Professor Bigglesby said, as Albert stepped onto the bridge. He swiped the sword past Albert, narrowly missing his shoulder. Farnsworth howled and raced across to the other side.

  “I’m just going to see my dad,” Albert said as he dodged another swipe of the blade. “Any idea where he is?”

  Professor Bigglesby nodded, then dropped to the floor and rolled, tucking the sword close to his body. “He’s in the Cave of Whispers, most likely!”

  Albert raced off after Farnsworth. As crazy as the old dwarf was, Professor Bigglesby had skills.

  Once out of the Main Chamber, Farnsworth led Albert down an unfamiliar tunnel. Blue flames flickered on the walls, and the longer they walked, the colder it became. The ground sloped downward, so steep at times that Albert was almost sliding in his boots.

  Finally, Farnsworth came to a stop at an old door. The wood looked as if it were cut right from the bark of a tree. It was as gnarled and wrinkled as Pap.

  There was a keyhole in the door, just above an old-fashioned crystal handle that sparkled like a million stars. Albert pulled the key out of his pocket and stuck it into the lock. It was a perfect fit, and almost like magic, the old door swung inward with a creak.

  Farnsworth scurried inside, and Albert chased him into the darkness.

  Albert couldn’t even see his own two feet. It reminded him of his first time inside the Troll Tree, only now, Albert didn’t feel the fear that he had back then.

  “Okay, lights on,” Albert said to Farnsworth. He was about to scratch Farnsworth’s head and rev up his high beams, when suddenly, light shone at the end of the tunnel, beckoning Albert forward.

  He took a few more steps. The path grew brighter and brighter as he went, and by the time the tunnel widened and Albert stepped into open space, his jaw was hanging nearly to his toes.

  “Holy Calderon,” Albert gasped.

  The Cave of Whispers was completely covered, from floor to ceiling, in crystals. It was like Albert had just stepped inside a kaleidoscope. Every time he blinked, the colors of the gems flickered and changed. Some of them were the size of boulders, while others were as tiny as Farnsworth’s eyes. But all of them, every single one, was so beautiful it was like Albert was staring in
to the stars. More like a galaxy, Albert thought.

  In the middle of the cave, atop a large square purple crystal, sat Professor Flynn. He wore his emerald Professor’s coat, and from here it almost looked like he was a part of the cave.

  “Dad!” Albert called out.

  His voice exploded across the cave. Suddenly the crystals began to tremble and shake. Smaller ones crashed down from the ceiling, and the colors flashed so brilliant and blinding that Albert had to shut his eyes and look away. The cave rumbled and groaned until the echo of Albert’s voice faded to silence.

  When Albert opened his eyes, Professor Flynn was crossing the floor to meet him.

  “You have to keep your voice down,” his dad said gently.

  Albert nodded. When he spoke, he kept his voice softer than the ruffle of a bird’s wings. “The Cave of Whispers?”

  Professor Flynn nodded. “It’s brilliantly designed, when you think about it. Noise isn’t allowed here. If it gets too loud, the cave rebels. It’s the perfect place to come when all you want to do is think. It doesn’t allow for much more than that.”

  He smiled and waved Albert over. Together, they crossed the cave floor. Albert felt like he was walking on a rainbow. With each step he took, the colors changed. Sometimes he was walking on a green patch, other times he was walking on red or blue or magenta. All of it was mesmerizing.

  Professor Flynn took his seat on a giant crystal, and Albert sat beside him. Farnsworth raced around the cave, leaping over crystals and gems, and snapping at them as their colors changed.

  “You know lots of secret Core places,” Albert mused. “What else is there?”

  Professor Flynn’s eyes sparkled with a boyish charm that Albert only noticed when they were inside the Core. It was like his dad was happier here, more himself than he ever could be on the surface. “Telling you would ruin the surprise. Someday, we’ll visit every room in the Core together. Maybe even discover new ones.”

  Albert’s heart swelled. “I’d like that.”

  “Despite the Imbalance you’re here for, it’s good to have you in the Core during the holidays. You’re experiencing life the way I do here, year-round. The Float Parade is soon, and the Core . . .” Professor Flynn’s voice trailed off, and he smiled like he’d caught himself about to spoil a delicious secret. “Well, there’s much you’ll discover soon.”

  The last time they’d been together alone like this, it was Albert’s first time in the Core. His dad had taken Albert to the Cave of Souls, a place that held balls of light and fire that represented the souls of every Balance Keeper to ever pass through the Core.

  Albert had taken Birdie and Leroy there just before they returned home. They’d been fresh out of the Calderon Realm, still full of the overwhelming joy that came from setting an Imbalance back to normal.

  “Any more news on Ponderay?” Albert asked. He didn’t mention that just last night, he’d been caught sneaking into Professor Asante’s office. He also didn’t mention that all he’d been thinking about since last night was how terrified he was for his dad’s life.

  Professor Flynn sighed. “Not yet, I’m afraid. Professor Asante’s been injured, so we’ve taken another step in the wrong direction. Tussy can’t go in alone. It’s too dangerous. And on that note, I do have something I need to tell you. . . .”

  “I already know you’re going into the Realm.” Albert cut his dad off before Professor Flynn could say anything else. “I’m scared for you, Dad. But I know you’re doing the right thing.”

  Professor Flynn looked exhausted, but still, he gave Albert his best smile. “It’s what you would do, huh, kiddo?”

  Albert laughed. “You’re exactly right.”

  His dad nodded. “I wish I didn’t have to go in. But right now, California is in a complete state of emergency.”

  “I saw the news yesterday,” Albert said. “Hurricanes. What’s next? Earthquakes?”

  Professor Flynn shrugged. “We cannot be sure, until the Realm decides to react further.”

  “I’m worried about Mom and the kids,” Albert said. His chest felt constricted, and all he wanted to do was call and talk to them. “What if they aren’t okay?”

  “Pap heard from your mother just yesterday. They’re trying to head back to New York, but flights have been canceled indefinitely,” Professor Flynn said. “She’s a smart woman. She’ll figure out a way to keep the family safe.”

  “I hope so,” Albert said. He imagined the determined look that was always in his mom’s eyes, and he drew on that for strength. “Tussy is training us well. We’ll be ready in just a few more days. If we’re not, I’m afraid of what she might do to us. She’s the scariest girl I’ve ever met.”

  They both laughed softly, careful not to disturb the silence. Farnsworth had chosen a spot in the far corner of the cave. His eyes were on full blast, but they blended right in with all the twinkling gems.

  “The Core is amazing,” Albert said. “I just can’t believe there’s someone that wants to harm it. Why?”

  Professor Flynn put a hand on Albert’s shoulder. His grip was warm and strong. “People are afraid of what they can’t control. Do you remember when you first got your Tile?”

  “How could I forget?” Albert asked. “That was the craziest day of my entire life.”

  He thought back to his very first day in the Core. Albert had dove deep into the Waterfall of Fate in search of a white Tile, only to come up with one that was unlike any other in the Core. At first, Albert had been disappointed, and a little afraid.

  No one seemed to know what the Master Tile did. People looked at him differently while it hung from his neck.

  “I guess what you’re saying is, sometimes people freak out when they’re faced with the unknown. Right?” Albert asked.

  His dad plucked a stray strand of hair off of the lapel of his jacket. “You didn’t see it that way. You saw it as a problem to solve. You did what you had to do, and came out stronger in the end. That is my hope for all Balance Keepers, for this Imbalance and all future Imbalances. That we will come together and save the Core before it’s too late, rather than giving in to our fear of what could happen if we fail. I’m afraid that this traitor—whoever they are—wasn’t feeling up to that task.”

  Albert reached down and closed his fingers over his Master Tile. It had saved his dad and the old Calderon First Unit in the Realm of Calderon last term. Maybe it could save the Core this time, too.

  “Do you think I’ll ever go into a Realm again?” Albert asked, a little too loud. “We’ve been so awful in the Pit lately. It’s humiliating.”

  The crystals around the room buzzed and morphed from one color to the next, making Albert’s head dizzy. It was beautiful, but also frightening in its own way, just like the Realms.

  “In time, kiddo,” Professor Flynn said. He plucked a tiny orange crystal from the floor, and held it out to Albert on his palm. It flashed like the flames of a roaring fire. “Reminds you of Calderon, doesn’t it?”

  “Definitely,” Albert said. He could picture Calderon Peak, the King Fireflies buzzing and spitting flames, the Sea Inspire roiling with poison before Albert dove in and released the silver eggs to set it all back to normal again.

  Professor Flynn smiled. “You were great there, kiddo. Greater than anyone I ever could have imagined.” He flipped the crystal over, and on the other side its color was deep, starlight silver. It reminded Albert of what he knew of Ponderay.

  Professor Flynn continued. “That was you, Albert, not the Realm of Calderon, that made you succeed. You’ll do great anywhere you go. You’re a Flynn, and you’re destined for more than just one thing.”

  Professor Flynn tossed the crystal, and Albert caught it. It was warm and cool all at once. He tucked it into his pocket for safekeeping.

  “I hope you’re right, Dad,” Albert said.

  Professor Flynn reached into his pocket and produced a golden Medallion. “Before I forget, do me a favor and call your mom soon? She’s left
seventeen voice messages with Pap. Leave it to her to be in the middle of a hurricane with a crazy aunt and three kids, and still be worried about you on the other side of the country.”

  “She’s got the determination of a Balance Keeper, that’s for sure,” Albert laughed and took the Medallion. He felt a little bit lighter, knowing that his mom had at least been able to call. She was okay, for now. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Professor Flynn nodded and put his arm around Albert’s shoulders.

  “Dad?” Albert asked. “Promise me you’ll be safe tomorrow, in the Realm.”

  “I promise,” Professor Flynn said.

  They sat together for a little while longer, father and son in silence, watching the Cave of Whispers morph around them like a living, breathing thing.

  CHAPTER 15

  The Heart of the Core

  Albert was making his way back through the Main Chamber, dreaming about going back to sleep, when Leroy practically ran into him. Birdie dashed up a moment later.

  “Albert!” Leroy panted. “Where have you been? We got a note—detention. Now.”

  “I got one, too,” Birdie added. “We’re supposed to meet Professor Asante here.”

  Albert groaned. “Perfect timing.”

  As if on cue, Professor Asante rolled up to the edge of the bridge with a clipboard balanced on her lap. Farnsworth barked a greeting.

  “Just on time,” Professor Asante said. “Someone push me along, please. Down tunnel three.”

  Albert and his friends exchanged glances. Professor Asante was huge, and they were all still basically half asleep—there was no way they’d be able to push her. So Albert, with all the energy he had left, used the Strength symbol to push the Professor along.

  They headed into tunnel three and before too long, stopped at an iron door.

  There was a glowing orange button on the wall, sort of like an elevator button. Professor Asante tapped the button, and sure enough, when the iron door slid open, there was an elevator waiting for them.

  Or, sort of an elevator. It looked more like a big metal cage, but the four of them piled inside. Leroy was squished up against the back with his face pressed against the bars of the cage.