The Pillars of Ponderay by Lindsay Cummings Read Free Book Online Page B

guys?” Leroy’s voice echoed up toward them. “Slow and steady wins the race!”
    Birdie and Albert burst into laughter, then sat down to wait for their friend.
    A few minutes later the platform rose high into the air with Albert and his friends on board, carting them away from the pathway below.
    Cool air whooshed into Albert’s face. He held his arms to the sides and let out a happy scream. He felt like himself again. This was where he was meant to be. Birdie and Leroy joined in, and even Farnsworth let loose a happy howl.
    The platform stopped a few seconds later, and the door to the Pit swung inward.
    â€œLadies first,” Albert said to Birdie.
    She smirked, and held out her hand. “Then go ahead, you two.”
    Team Hydra entered the Pit with their heads held high.
    â€œThere you are! It’s about time,” a voice said, as they stepped through the doorway. Someone emerged from the shadows ahead. “I was beginning to think you’d chickened out on me.”
    Albert almost gasped when he saw who was talking.
    It was a tall dark-haired girl with muscles so big that Albert figured she’d be able to punch him all the way back to the surface if she wanted to. There were scars covering her arms and neck, even a few on her face. Notto mention the dark, almost-black eyes. The girl was the description of intimidating.
    â€œYou’re Tussy,” Leroy said. “Professor Asante’s Apprentice.”
    The girl nodded. “That’s right.”
    She held up a copper clipboard. “I’ll need you three to sign this form for me. Just a few formalities, now that we’re in the middle of the worst Imbalance the Core has ever seen. Training will be far more dangerous than you’ve ever experienced. Sign on the dotted line, please.”
    Birdie took the clipboard and together the three of them read through the papers that were attached.
    Leroy finished in about two seconds flat. “Chance of . . . hold on, does that say dismemberment?”
    Tussy shrugged. “The training exercises for Ponderay are quite grueling. But I assure you, nothing like that has happened in at least ten years.”
    â€œI’m gonna be sick,” Leroy whispered.
    Albert patted him on the back and signed the documents. But even his hands trembled a little. Birdie signed next, and with lots of encouragement, Leroy finally signed, too.
    Tussy grinned, but it sort of looked like the expression belonged on a hungry shark.
    â€œGreat,” Tussy said. “Let’s get started.”
    She turned on her heel and marched around the edge of the Pit to the bleachers where a few Core people werealready sitting, ready to watch the action.
    Right in the front row were three people who made Albert’s hands curl into fists.
    Hoyt, Slink, and Mo. Team Argon.
    They were Hydra’s archenemies, and total jerks. Hoyt smirked as soon as he saw Albert and his friends. He turned and started whispering to his team, and they all laughed louder than was necessary.
    â€œWow, really mature,” Birdie growled. “Looks like they haven’t changed a bit.”
    Tussy hardly seemed to take notice as she stopped at the edge of the bleachers.
    â€œYou’ll be wearing these today.”
    She scooped up three bags and tossed them to Albert, Birdie, and Leroy.
    â€œThe climate in Ponderay will be completely different from what you’re used to. This is no Calderon, if you get what I mean.”
    She laughed, but no one else did.
    Albert opened up his bag and peered inside. It was a pair of thick blue pants, almost like a wetsuit, and a long-sleeved blue Hydra shirt to match. Knee-high boots were also included, and these had a similar waterproof feel to them, with Velcro and snaps. Birdie and Leroy had the same stuff in their bags.
    Tussy pointed to a small, curtained-off area at the edge of the Pit cave.
    â€œChange, please. And quickly. There’s no time to