Read Online Bang Goes a Troll by David Sinden, Matthew Morgan, Guy Macdonald, Jonny Duddle - Free Book Online Page B

shoulder.
    The big man began shovelling snow from the base of the crane. As he dug, Ulf heard a clang. It sounded like the ground beneath the snow wasmade of metal, too.

    Nearby, the small man poked the snow with a stick, and a large metal disc sprang up on a spring. “Bone, here’s one!” he called.
    The big man trudged over carrying the pot. He dipped his hand in, scooping out a lump of grease. He greased the spring, then pushed the disc back under the snow.
    Ulf looked along the valley. He saw metal pipes poking up from the snow. On the sides of the valley he could make out snowy balconies and spotlights. The valley was entirely manmade. “I don’t like the look of this, Tiana,” he said, closing the hatch. “We should hurry.”
    Ulf set off along the tunnel with Tiana flying after him. Beside the railtrack he found a four-wheeled cart turned upside down. Ulf turned the cart over.
    â€œWhat are you doing, Ulf?” Tiana asked.
    The cart had a wooden seat and pedals on the floor. Ulf lifted it on to the tracks and sat in it.“We’ll go faster in this,” he said.
    He started pedalling and the cart began to move. Tiana perched on the front, holding on tightly as they picked up speed.
    Gumball came running after them.
    â€œOh no, are you coming too, Gumball?” Tiana asked.
    The goblin caught up and hopped in behind Ulf. “Gumball be passenger,” he said.
    As they rolled forward, the tunnel widened. Above them, Ulf saw huge iron pistons stretching from one wall to the other. He pedalled past a sign saying THE CRUSHER .
    The track weaved between girders, cables, and pipes. It was as if they were inside the workings of a huge machine. Ulf pedalled harder. Up ahead the track divided. One route continued straight; the other looped left and downward. The cart veered to the left.
    Tiana shrieked as they whirled down.

    Ulf lifted his feet. The pedals were spinning. “This is more like it!” he called.
    Tiana clung to the front of the cart, trying not to be blown away.
    â€œWe’re going under the valley,” Ulf said.
    The track twisted and turned and the cart sped down between dozens of metal columns. The columns rose from floor to ceiling. Ulf saw more tracks running off into the darkness as they shot past a sign saying FOREST OF FEAR. Above him, through metal grating, Ulf could see snow.
    The track weaved, then twisted upwards again. Ulf pedalled up a slope and the wheels squeaked. As he reached the top, the cart lurched round a bend and Ulf saw a sign saying DROWING POOL .
    Gumball stood up and leaned forward. “Wolfy pedal good,” he said.
    â€œSit down,” Ulf said. “You’ll fall out.”
    Gumball wobbled and fell on to Ulf. “Oopsy,” the goblin said, grinning. He sat back down as thetrack straightened.
    They passed shelves full of boulders lined up above a metal chute. The chute was poking out into the valley. SKITTLE ALLEY , another sign read.
    â€œLook, Ulf!” Tiana said, pointing ahead.
    The track was coming to an end. Ulf saw empty pedal-carts parked in a circle. Beyond them was a big wooden door.
    Gumball pulled a lever on the side of the cart and it squeaked to a halt. He hopped out and scuttled behind the pedal-carts. “Loadem Lodge behind that door,” he said. “Good luck.”
    He was holding something in his hands.
    â€œHang on, what’s that you’ve got?” Tiana asked suspiciously. She flew over to Gumball.
    The little goblin was clutching Ulf’s compass.
    â€œHey! Give that back, slimeball!” Tiana cried.
    â€œMine now,” Gumball said. “My shiny.”
    â€œThief!” Tiana said. “Ulf, he picked your pocket!”

    Gumball clutched the compass to his chest.
    Ulf climbed out of the pedal-cart. “It’s okay, Gumball, you can keep it now,” he told him.
    â€œKeep?” Gumball asked.
    â€œYes,” Ulf replied.
    Gumball stepped