Dimension Adventures (Book 4)

The Gray Woman

Gloria's POV:

"Gloria, are you awake?" The figure asks

"I-I think so." I reply

"Do you remember anything before you went unconscious?"

"Yea, I got jumped."

"That must be why I found you bruised. But no worries on that part, I healed you."

My confusion causes me to be silent. I want to know more about her.

"I think your friends were looking for you today."

"How do you know that? Are you a teacher or a dean?"

"No. Let's just say I'm a friend."

"Are you one of Mom's friends?"

"I don't know because I consider myself everyone's friend."

So she is one of those people. Now that I think about it, she reminds me of Mom in that sense. Until you tick her off that is. This stranger intrigues me.

"What do I call you, stranger?" I asks.

"You can call me Core."

"Core." I remember that name as I fade back into my subconscious.

"We will see each other again. Take care until then."

Jasmine's P.O.V.

After school I am waiting for the others so we can go to the subway together. We head to Kheno to look for Gloria. Angel has a feeling that she will be there.

"Where should we go first?" Angel asks.

"If I know Gloria, she's either at the horse stables or the Enchanted forest." Marigold states.

"I'll check the horse stables." Angel decides. 

"I'll check in the Enchanted Forest." I tell them.

Everyone splits up. We head into the Enchanted forest not knowing what lies ahead. Animals roam around and we see some familiar faces.

"I wonder if she's actually here." I shrug.

"There she is!" Lysander points to a big tree and rushes over to it.

We all rush over with him.

"Gloria? Gloria?" Lysander gently shakes her. "She's out cold."

Lysander picks up his sister and carries her bridal style to the house. Angel is in a panic.

"Angel, I think you need to calm-". I say before getting interrupted.

"I am calm!" Angel interrupts.

"What's going on?" Anna asks walking toward us with her hair swaying behind her.

Kelly is next to her.

"We couldn't find Gloria at lunch. So when we came here we found her unconscious in the Enchanted forest." I explain.

"That's why the school called me." Anna isn't upset. "Let's get her inside."

We bring her in and lay her on the couch.

Kiyme, who is now in her 20's, walks in with Bella on one side and Shadow on the other. She towers over them by a few inches. Anna starts healing Gloria.

Angel still won't calm down. Even Dustan can't do anything to help calm her.

"Angel." Kiyme looks at her sympathetically

"Yes?" Angel responds still in panic mode.

"Everything is going to be okay." Kiyme walks over and hugs her tightly

Angel starts to cry in Kiyme's arms as she hugs back tightly.

"Do you know what happened to her?" Kelly inquires. "How did she end up like this?"

"I don't know. She wasn't at lunch." Angel explains while crying.

"I'm going to go call the principal." Kelly says

"Take her to her room." Anna tells us.

We all do as we are told and say goodbye to Funxy, Oliver, Felix, Ethan, Charlotte and Eliza for they have to go home because they want to get home for dinner.

Lysander's P.O.V.

I lay my sister on her bed and cover her up after Mom helps me get her into her pajamas. Angel decides to stay with Gloria no matter what. After noticing Angel isn't leaving Gloria's side I go to freshen up. On my way out, I pat Angel on the shoulder reassuringly.

Angel's P.O.V.

I'm happy that she's okay but I'm worried about what the cause is. Gloria opens and rubs her eyes.

"Hey." She looks at me.

"Hi, how do you feel?" I ask.

"Like I need to shower. I'll be back." Gloria stands up and goes to get her stuff.

I sit in the room while waiting. Gloria takes her shower and changes her clothes.

"Much better." She says. "Did you meet someone named Core today?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" I ask.

"She came to me today."

"Interesting."

"Who do you think she is and why did she appear to us?"

"I don't know but she probably just wants to help."

"No doubt. I just wanna know who she is. She's a mystery."

"Yeah, it would be nice."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Gloria turns off the light.

Marigold's P.O.V.

Laying in bed I can't help but think about Core. Who is she? Why us? Eventually I drift off to sleep.

"Core! Core! Are you here?" I shout

"Yes?" Core answers.

"We never got to finish our chat."

"I know, we were interrupted."

"Why us?"

"Because I can do what I please."

"What makes us so special?"

"We will have to wait and see won't we?"

"That's kinda freaky."

"Not really because I'm interested as well."

"That thing with Gloria. Did you..."

"I healed her. Then we talked and she eventually passed out."

"Okay then...what does our future hold?"

"We never know what really lies ahead until it happens."

Before I can probe her any further I am woken up by my alarm clock.

"Dang it!" I shout out of frustration.

Funxy's P.O.V.

Today I have to look like I didn't get woken up by Felix screaming last night. But that's okay. I'm usually a morning person.

"Good morning, moms." I say as I walk downstairs and see my moms.

"Good morning sweetie." Bonbun says sweetly.

"Good morning. I hope you got plenty of sleep last night." Creamilia drinks some of her Mocha.

I eat breakfast then get ready for school. When I am ready for school, I wait for the others as Ein's children line up and he hands them their lunches one by one until it ends at the youngest, Felix. Oh how much I love Felix.

When we are all ready we go to the subway and go to school. At lunch, Gloria and Angel are locked arm and arm. After what has happened yesterday they aren't leaving each others' side.

"Hi Gloria and Angel." I greet them as I approach 

"Hey." Gloria says walking with Angel into the cafeteria.

Then I see Felix. When we get into the cafeteria there are girls staring at Felix. Why do most of the girls at this school have to have feeling for him just because he's adorable? Well, as long as no one offers him food then, I can give him the food I have made for him.

Gloria, Angel, and Marigold are eating yogurt parfaits. Here is my opportunity.

"Hey Felix, I made noodles for you. You want them?" I asks softly.

"Y-yes, thank you." Felix responds as I hand him the container of noodles.

Oliver's P.O.V.

I am helping Felix organize books while some girls are staring at us.

"Ladies, if you aren't going to buy, read, or study something I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave." Lumos tells them.

All the girls pick out a book and sit down but are still staring at us. Lumos shakes his head.

Marigold's P.O.V.

I am outside of my mom and Bonbun's restaurant. I work in the garden nearby.

We grow herbs, vegetables, fruits...and even flowers for decorations. I go to check on the parsley. Star comes running towards me.

"Hey, I'm on my break want to talk?" She asks.

"About what?" I ask watering the parsley.

"I don't know I'm bored."

"Well...have you heard of someone named Core?"

"I think."

"She came to me and the others and we don't know why."

"She's a mystery. Not even in the books."

"I know. It's just weird. Why would she come to us?"

"She comes to everyone eventually, I guess. Some say she has a plan."

"What plan?"

"I guess that might be one of the mysteries."

I cut the parsley stems to harvest the parsley and put it in a bucket. I do the same with the other herbs.

"Either way, I think my break is almost over so I'm going inside. Talk to you later kiddo."

I keep thinking about Core. Why won't she be open with me? After work I call the others over. Searching up 'Core' we discover there is a museum. Gloria takes us there immediately.

Dustan's POV:

We all get to the museum. Immediately as we walk into the museum Funxy is looking around in awe.

"Angel, does this place seem a little incomplete?" Gloria asks her.

"Yeah, it kinda does. There's a name missing." Angel responds pointing at a wall of names of people who are classified as heroes.

On it the first name is missing. There is just a space. A statue is missing as well.

"Could that be Core's space?" Clyde wonders

"I don't know but it could be." I comment as Funxy is looking at Felix's statue and changing it around even to show as first Felix.

Everyone else gasps.

"That's the version of Felix that Ky despises." Gloria states

"When you change the statue settings, it can give info about that particular mode you choose." Funxy explains. "This was the first life of Felix, who's original name wasn't Felix. However, his real name was never discovered. He was born in a society where people who were a hybrid or disabled were discriminated against. He has said that he remembers a grey figure talking to him....... Lives saved: Zoe."

"What is Core trying to tell us?" Mona wonders. "Come on Core. Just be open!"

"If we can't fill in the blanks, then let's go to Midnight." Titus suggests.

"Obviously Core helped Felix and Zoe in their first lives, but what else?" Marigold wonders.

Gloria transports us to Midnight.

Clyde's P.O.V.

"Ah!" Midnight screams in surprise.

"Listen, what do you know about Core?" I ask in a serious tone.

"Oh, yes the mystery lady." He says in realization.

"Don't play with us Midnight." Talicia tells him. "We know that you know more than what you show. Now tell us."

"Well here's the thing. I don't know how much I can tell you but she is a legend that doesn't want to be told. Even her daughters don't remember her."

"Lily and Diane?" I ask

"Correct." He confirms

"Keep talking Midnight." Talicia orders.

"What will I get in return for the trip I'll take you on then?"

"I won't destroy your shards." Talicia causes the ground to shake and the lights to flicker.

"I'll let you sleep in my closet." Oliver offers

"First, that's dangerous. Second, I'm in." Midnight accepts the offer.

"We are not going to be good friends." Talicia tells Midnight. "Now let's go."

"Fine then." Midnight says as the room changes into a simulation. "This ladies and gentlemen is the orignal world."

Then, they see little Luna pass by running as if she was playing tag with someone who isn't there.

"Interesting." Araminta touches her chin.

Charlotte's P.O.V.

"This was the day the original ended." Midnight informs us.

The little Luna stops. Out of nowhere she, is holding a baby Lilith in her arms.

"Take good care of her for me, okay? I have to do this for her, you, and the others. So goodbye my lovely. It was a pleasure knowing you and the others. Goodbye." A voice tells Luna as she starts to cry.

Then there is a white light that takes over the whole simulation.

"There has been more memories she can be heard in." Midnight comments.

"That's like Ky's mom, Clorreigea." Lysander mentions. "Such similar personalities."

"She sacrificed herself." Aurla tells herself

"Yeah, she has a thing for giving help to the ones who need it. Especially Ein, Felix, Zoe, Gene, etc." Midnight tells us.

"Me?" Gloria asks

Midnight thinks about it. "More or less. It doesn't really matter how big or small the problem is. She will help."

"Look jerk, she could've died." Talicia tells him angrily.

"We understand your frustration, Talicia. However, you need to calm down." Jack tries to calm her down.

"Well here's the thing. I don't know what happened to Gloria and I don't always know what Core's intentions are. But the only thing I know is they are going to be good. They always are." Midnight says calmly.

"Aren't you the guardian of memories and dreams?" Talicia questions.

"Yes, I am. But that doesn't mean I'm creepily watching everyone twenty four seven. That isn't my job. My job is to help people with nightmares, make sure people have a backup memory shard, look back for evidence, and things that are missed in court and other things." Midnight explains.

"I think I would consider someone being jumped important."

"I know it would be important but that doesn't mean I'm gonna see it out of the other millions of shards. Especially when I'm at work, not with my shards when it happens."

"Which is pointless because all you do is sleep in your dumb cabinet."

Gloria's P.O.V.

"I help students too." Midnight argues.

"I think we should go." Charlotte and Felix suggests.

"No!" I shout in protest. "We have to know more. Help me out here, Angie."

"Please." Angel pleads.

"Like what?" Midnight asks out of curiosity.

"There has to be something. What did you leave out?" I ask Midnight

"I did say there was other times she could be heard speaking didn't I?" Midnight responds.

"Then let's go! What are you waiting for?" Marigold is yearning for answers just like the rest of us.

Midnight changes the simulation to a forest area. Eventually, first Felix can be seen running in carrying a bloodied child Zoe. Then he stops and sits against a tree.

This time, instead of just a voice there is a gray figure.

"Oh no, what happened to the poor dear?" Core touches the child and gasps. "She's dead."

That line causes first Felix to cry.

"No worries. She has a life to live, so I'll bring her back." Vines come out of the ground attaching to the child and eventually there is a cough from the child.

Core picks up the child.

"I'll take her somewhere she will be safe and loved. Like I'll do for you someday when it's time. Okay my lovely?" She tells him

Felix nods.

"He may have done possibly the worst thing ever but he always had a heart for children." Midnight explains.

"But he lacked in common sense." Mona said

"Like there was anyone who wanted to teach him in the first 13 to 14 years of his life." Midnight reminds them.

Ethan's P.O.V.

"I'm going to guess there is more to this story, isn't there?" I ask.

"Of course." Midnight changes simulation again.

This time they are at a different forest and Ein is against a tree crying.

"Why won't she move? Cry? Laugh? Anything?" He questioned.

Core appears. "What's the matter?"

"My daughter. I don't know what Glitters did to her but she won't move. I want her to talk to me. Say something. I feel useless."

"You know? I know this boy who might need your help. So prove to yourself you are not useless. He needs you, so go to him."

"Who is he?"

"You guys call him the Destroyer boy."

"Okay, I'll try."

"Don't try, do."

"This is getting deep." Mona comments

"Now, there is more but that is a story for another time." Midnight tells them. "The only thing I really liked from that story other than the Core parts is when Ein broke first Felix's arm."

Talicia calls out Midnight "I knew you were a phony."

"Talicia, tranquilízate." Titus tells her.

"No, he's still hiding something." Talicia argues

"€£¡zaB€+H." Midnight tries to say something.

"Take us home." Talicia shakes her head.

Gloria does just that.

"At least we learned something." Dustan comments.