Dimensions of Darkness Book 2: The Explorers of the Core

**GalladeRocks** · 19th July 2009, 4:33 PM

It's here! It's here! It's here at last!

DIMENSIONS OF DARKNESS BOOK 2: THE EXPLORERS OF THE CORE

(Rated PG-13 for peril, mild fantasy violence, and themes of death)

A note to all who read this: This is a sequel to Dimensions of Darkness Book 1: The Explorers of Nightmares. If you haven't read the first book, I suggest clicking on the link in my signature and reading it first.

Well, I know there wasn't much of a break between this book and the last one, but I was too anxious to wait any longer. And first, and most importantly, I'd like to thank everyone who read and critiqued on my last thread. I couldn't have done it without you!

Spoiler:- Character List-SPOILERS:

Spoiler:- Attack List-SPOILERS:

Spoiler:- Aura Attacks:

Spoiler:- Table of Contents:

"Movie Trailer"-Minor Spoilers

Soundtrack-No Spoilers

Spoiler:- PM List:

And now...It begins!

Prologue

Deep beneath the earth, the shadows writhed. A dark presence was in their midst, and it upset them to no end. They were drawn to it, following it, curling down the tunnel like wisps of smoke.

Up ahead, a strange, ruin-like structure stood. The lone figure traversing the tunnels gingerly floated forward above the floor of the ruins until he reached the center of the strange pattern that reached out in every direction, spanning the entire chamber.

Slowly, surely, his two legs expanded out from within his body until they touched the floor. Now, he was standing right in the middle of the circle at the enormous design's center.

There was a flash of blue light and three small relics, held inside a small bag draped across the figure's back, began to glow. As they glowed, the pattern glowed, reaching across the floor, walls, and ceiling, showering the entire chamber with blue light. The figure quickly darted for cover as the floor of the chamber split down the middle, yawning open until there was a huge, black, gaping chasm. And from deep within, there was an earth-shattering roar. Chunks of stone fell from the walls and ceiling, forcing the figure to duck back and forth to avoid being crushed.

"Yes, yes!" the figure smiled to himself. "Come forth, and this Core shall be yours for the taking!"

And then, with yet another explosive roar, a monster shot out of the gorge in the floor. It's body, enormous and serpentine, coiled and uncoiled as it bellowed centuries worth of rage into the darkness of the earth. Rayquaza was free.

Hope you all like it!

**Torpoleon** · 19th July 2009, 5:07 PM

So the monster is Rayquaza! Darkrai must have let it free to attack Piplup, Chimchar, Grovyle and Dusknoir. The four of them can take it. After all, three got past the Hidden Land, two defeated Dialga, and one almost beat the three with very minor help from lackeys. Can't wait for the first chapter!

**sweet_piplup123** · 20th July 2009, 3:36 AM

Oh no, not Rayquaza too! *_*

...surely there must be a reason Rayquaza is on Darkrai's side...

**Mi10ticFan** · 20th July 2009, 5:35 AM

Always loving a new book ^_^
That's not even a page long, are you sure the mods will accept this?
BTW, why Rayquaza? The monster's Rayquaza?

**GalladeRocks** · 20th July 2009, 7:19 AM

I didn't think the prologue had to be any certain length. Oh well, show's how much I know.

Chapter 1
The Shadow is Cast

The Core had always been a peaceful place. Pokemon of all sorts lived here, but they all managed to live together without segregation or prejudice, without war or fighting. Even Pokemon which had thought only to have existed in ancient times still thrived in this underground haven.

All Pokemon of the Core lived in the single city found beneath the earth's crust. It was quite large, and it was spread out over a large area. All of the buildings were stone, carved out of the earth itself. Food and water were plentiful due to the underground springs and the berries and fruit that grew near them. There was no lack in light, either, for the walls and ceiling of the tremendous chamber were coated with glowing blue cave moss. It was the perfect safe haven for Pokemon.

And then, the shadow was cast.

It started with the town's two respected leaders, Rampardos and Bastiodon. They were both well known and widely loved. They were fair, just, and understanding. Because of this, it was this leading duo who was put in charge of the city's emergency army, in case any warring party from the surface were ever to arrive. However, few knew of the Core at all, and those who did would never dare to venture there. So, the army was never used, and the city was happy.

And then, the shadow was cast.

One day, something crept over the city. A darkness overcame the city, and an ominous wind blew in from somewhere. There was never wind in the Core.

While the other Pokemon sought shelter, Rampardos and Bastiodon climbed to the top of their capitol building. The enormous stone structure reached almost to the ceiling of the chamber, and it provided them a bird's-eye view of the entire city. They knew something was wrong. They waited for it. They gave the command, and their army, formed completely of Cranidos and Shieldon, was ready for battle. They were ready, if necessary, for war.

And then, the shadow was cast.

The other citizens were safe in their homes, but the leaders were in the open. They were sitting ducks. Slowly, the powers of darkness overcame them. Their eyes grew black and emotionless, and even their physical features were shadowed.

The shadow had been cast.

Immediately, Rampardos and Bastiodon called in their army. The attack order was given. The townspeople were taken by surprise as the Cranidos and Shieldon legion began to tear the town apart, bit by bit. There was panic in the streets, and none could stop the attack. Why their leaders had betrayed them, nobody knew, but it had still happened.

The shadow had been cast.

But things were about to go from bad to worse. There was an enormous roar, shaking the entire city. As if given an unseen command, the army retreated from the city, fleeing deeper into the Core. Rampardos and Bastiodon were right behind them. Their new master was taking over the rest. Just as the townspeople thought that peace had finally been restored, they instead found it shattered beyond repair.

The shadow had been cast.

The beast was free. Rayquaza, the monster of legend, had been unleashed. He had been trapped in an earthy prison long ago by the Pokemon of the Core because of his previous crimes. Rayquaza had razed entire villages, leaving not a structure behind that was not reduced to ash. He was a primieval creature, with little to no intelligent thought. So why now he seemed to be in control of an entire army was impercievable.

The shadow had been cast.

As Rayquaza swooped down over the city, the Pokemon tried to run away. Only two escaped. The townspeople were scattered and trapped. The buildings were demolished. Only the capitol building was left undamaged, and that is where Rayquaza made his new home. He perched on the roof, coiled around the sides to keep from falling. Rampardos and Bastiodon, who had returned after the devastation was done, also took residence up in the capitol, along with the rest of the army. And so, the Core was in Rayquaza's control.

The shadow had been cast.

But hope may not be lost. Two Pokemon escaped Rayquaza's wrath. Perhaps those two are enough to turn the tides...

"-pant pant-"

"-gasp gasp-"

"A-Are we clear yet?"

"P-Probably, but we can't be sure. K-Keep moving!"

"I don't think I can much longer. I'm weakening."

"Alright. We'll take a short break."

The two figures stopped, making sure they had not been followed. As the smaller figure, who floated in the air, caught her breath, the other closed his eyes and lifted his hand. The 'sensors' on his head lifted up, hanging in the air despite the lack of physical force. His hands glowed blue and he could immediately see the entire area around him, even though his eyes were closed.

"So do you sense anyone?" the smaller figure inquired. Her long, thin tail twisted anxiously in the air behind her.

The taller, somewhat humanoid figure shook his head. "Nobody followed us...Look out!" He sensed the auras only a few steps behind him too late.

The two figures whirled around, fully expecting to see Rampardos and Bastiodon, or Rayquaza himself right behind them. What they saw wasn't much better. Three hulking titans were looming over them. One appeared to be made out of boulders, one was carved from ice, and the last was molded from iron. None of them looked happy.

Hope you all like it!

EDIT: Oh crap, this one's pretty short too. Don't worry, this was just another introductory chapter. They'll get longer from now on.

**Torpoleon** · 20th July 2009, 1:16 PM

Great Chapter! I wonder who the Pokemon that escaped are....... I think what the two figures saw were Regirock, Regice and Registeel. Guess I'll have to wait until the next chapter!

**Lucario0708** · 22nd July 2009, 9:02 PM

this is awesome, i loved how you put lucario in it! i read your first book and i am anxious to see the next few chapters

**lugia*master** · 22nd July 2009, 9:10 PM

WOW, I keep forgetting to post it, but I LOVE THIS FIC!!!!!

**Darkhonchcrow** · 22nd July 2009, 9:34 PM

I know one is Riolu, but i'm not sure about the other one. My gut feeling is Eevee, but it says "who floated in the air" and "thin tail twisted anxiously in the air behind her".

The three figures represent Regirock, Registeel and Regice leading me to believe that the Pokemon of the Core is Regigias.

**mattman324** · 22nd July 2009, 10:41 PM

Spoiler:- The two are:

Makes sense, right?

Anyway, a good start to a sequil to an awesome fic! Keep up the good work.

**Lucario0708** · 23rd July 2009, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by Darkhonchcrow

I know one is Riolu, but i'm not sure about the other one. My gut feeling is Eevee, but it says "who floated in the air" and "thin tail twisted anxiously in the air behind her".

The three figures represent Regirock, Registeel and Regice leading me to believe that the Pokemon of the Core is Regigias.

in riolu's descriptions and in the anime, it cant use aura powers yet, which means its lucario

and the pokemon of the core is rayquaza, it said it in the prologue

and obviously its mew

anyway, why do people envision Darkrai as evil? in the movie he sacrificed himself to save Alamos, in Ranger it was being controlled(CONTROLLED) and rampaged because they ticked him off with mind control. and in the anime episode, he jut comes on the new moon

Pokedex description says he inflicts people with nightmares, BUT MEANS NO HARM

although it is a pretty good twist, maybe there will be a good Darkrai that fights him

**GalladeRocks** · 23rd July 2009, 2:23 AM

I've put up a character list now, for those who need to check it out.

Also, I didn't pick to make Darkrai the main villain, that's just what he is in the games.

**Lucario0708** · 23rd July 2009, 7:47 PM

Oh yes i havent gotten to the darkrai mission yet in Time lol but are you forgetting that rayquaza is in the sky stairs in the games? so based on the games and TV episodes, there is only ONE of each legendary, but nevertheless, its a good twist

**GalladeRocks** · 23rd July 2009, 11:24 PM

Yeah, but since Rayquaza isn't a Pokemon of the main storyline in the games, I've put him in the Core in my story.

**GalladeRocks** · 24th July 2009, 7:10 AM

Chapter 2
The Gifts of the Moss God

All was silent. All was dark.

Time seemed to slow as the quartet of heroes plummeted deeper into the earth's crust. The walls rushing passed seemed to slow, but the ground below was still not visible.

"Ok, I didn't think our adventure would end this fast."

"Or this painfully."

"We don't know that it's going to be painful."

"Yes, we do."

"Alright, we do."

"At least it could be worse."

"How?"

"..."

"That's what I thought."

The two partners still managed to smile as they plunged to their doom. They could always make each other laugh, even when times were at their bleakest. And those times could get pretty bleak. But they always pulled through. No matter how highly the odds were stacked against them, they always pulled through. They were the ultimate team. They were unstoppable, completely invincible together. They were Team Pokepals. More than anything else, though, they were the best of friends. Most people would believe that they were connected at the hip. Some would even go to say that they shared the same consciousness: A single entity inhabiting two bodies. They were Piplup and Chimchar.

"Pardon me for interrupting, but now is not exactly the time to be having a casual conversation."

The two struggled to turn in the air to face their former nemesis Dusknoir. He was a Pokemon from the future who had tried to outright destroy them before, but he'd eventually defected to the good side after escaping from the dark future. Piplup still didn't entirely trust Dusknoir, but he put up with him because of the fourth member of their party.

"I don't get this. This is supposed to be the entrance to the Core. So why would it be a dead drop to doom?"

Dusknoir sighed. "Oh Grovyle, that's just how life works."

Grovyle was another Pokemon from the future. He had been the main target of Dusknoir's rage for quite a while because he was trying to save the world. However, after teaming up with Dusknoir to escape the future, the two had developed a friendship.

Now, the two, along with Piplup and Chimchar, were journeying into the Core of the earth in order to pursue the evil Darkrai. Darkrai was trying to freeze all of time so that he could rule over the paralyzed planet. To do this, he had stolen three Time Gears, from Fogbound Lake, Underground Lake, and Crystal Lake. This caused time around the lakes to freeze, in the process freezing Piplup, Chimchar, and Grovyle's friends Chatot and Celebi in time. Now, Darkrai was taking the Time Gears to the deepest reaches of the Core, where the Wheel of Time was located. If Darkrai was to put the Time Gears in the Wheel and turn it, then all time would freeze, leaving the world his kingdom and the Pokemon his slaves. But the Wheel of Time works two ways. If three Time Gears are placed in it, it can be turned two ways. One way will freeze time, but the other will restore all frozen time. Piplup and his gang were out to stop Darkrai, reclaim the Time Gears, and use them in the Wheel of Time to unfreeze time at the three lakes and release their friends. Unfortunatly, it looked like their mission was failing quickly. And it would be messy.

"No, Dusknoir," Grovyle frowned. "There's got to be something we're missing. This is the only known entrance into the Core, so there's got to be something!"

Chimchar shrugged. "Maybe we'll land in water."

Abruptly, a soft glow was visible beneath. It clearly illuminated the hard stone ground awaiting the plummeting Pokemon.

"It was a good thought," Dusknoir commented.

"Search the walls!" Grovyle ordered. "Maybe there's some sort of hidden lever or button."

Everybody managed to maneuver themselves to the walls of the pit and desperately slid their hands across them. The ground was rushing up fast.

"What are the odds we'll find a switch?" Dusknoir hollered.

Grovyle shrugged. "Do you have something better to do?"

Dusknoir pondered the question briefly, then went back to searching the walls whizzing by.

Piplup waved his arms frantically across the wall. 'This couldn't be the end. We've all come so far, it can't end here.'

Slowly, unnoticeably, a soft silver glow enveloped Piplup's arms. Chimchar, Grovyle, and Dusknoir were all too preoccupied to feel the sudden electrical buzz in the air.

'Come on, come on!' Piplup put all of his focus into finding anything to save them. 'Chimchar, Grovyle, even Dusknoir, I've got to do something! It can't end like this!'

The glow continued on to surround Piplup's entire body, covering him in a sparkling silver veil. Still, nobody noticed.

Then, with a flash, a streak of silver shot down the wall. It ran down through the grooves in the wall, rushing like water. In a matter of seconds, the flow had reached the floor, which was getting ever closer. It branched out across the stone, illuminating it brightly with silver.

"What's happening?" Piplup gasped. He had seen the flash below, though he had no idea what'd caused it.

Grovyle gasped. "I-I have no idea!"

Chimchar smiled. "We must've triggered a button after all!"

"But what will happen?" Dusknoir mused. "And will it happen in time?" The ground was only a hundred feet away.

Then, it happened. Slowly at first, a small patch of moss popped out of the floor. Then another, then another, and more and more until the entire floor was covered with a thick layer of spongy silver moss. "Amazing!" Grovyle remarked.

"Moss?" Chimchar was skeptical. "We're being saved by moss?"

Dusknoir shrugged. "Hopefully. It looks pretty thick, but you can never tell."

They all hit the soft growth of moss coating the earth simultaneously, bouncing forward onto the stone floor.

"Owww!!!"

Chimchar rubbed his bottom, cringing. Piplup restrained himself from doing the same.

"Hey, at least you're not a splat on the rocks," Dusknoir pointed out.

Grovyle stared away from the others in awe. "We're here," he whispered.

Piplup turned to see where Grovyle was looking. There, stretching out ahead of them was a long, gaping tunnel. The walls were glowing bluish-green, illuminating the passageway ahead.

"Why are the walls glowing?" Chimchar wondered. "Or more importantly, how?"

Grovyle scraped the wall gingerly and lifted up his hand. The color of the wall was wrapped around the tip of his finger. "It's moss. All of it's moss."

"So this is the mysterious light source spoken of in the legends," Dusknoir guessed.

"What's up with all this moss?" Chimchar inquired. "Is there some kind of moss god watching out for us?"

Piplup shrugged. "If there is, he's going to be recieving a gift basket. Maybe with some little shampoos, and maybe some fruit, or fresh bread. And don't forget the thank you card."

"Let's go." Grovyle beckoned to the others. "We've got a long ways to go and a short time to get there."

As the four made their way into the tunnel, it was immediatley noticeable that the floor was sloping down. As if it were possible, they were heading even deeper into the Core.

"We've got a long ways to go and a short time to get there, all right," Piplup muttered. "And we're still eastbound and down."

Hope you all like it! And some of you had better get that easter egg at the end, or I'll be mad.

**Mi10ticFan** · 24th July 2009, 8:19 AM

The story's going along well... too bad I was lazy to read the first chapter because of repeating sentences

**Torpoleon** · 24th July 2009, 12:15 PM

Great chapter! For a second, I thought Piplup was evolving! I couldn't find the eater egg. Can I have a hint?

**GalladeRocks** · 24th July 2009, 2:51 PM

The easter egg comes from one of the most popular movies of the 70's. And no, it's not Star Wars.

**mattman324** · 24th July 2009, 4:44 PM

Wasn't there a movie called "Eastbound and down"? Anyway, this was a good chapter as well, but I still want to know what happened to *bzzrbzt*. It will most likely be explained, being as one of them is *bzzrbzt*. Ah well.

Also, moss god? Geez, you've got a good sense of creativity!

**GalladeRocks** · 24th July 2009, 5:37 PM

"Eastbound and Down" is a song.

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