Dreams are for Nights

Chapter 3 – The Nightmare

By ManaGoddess

Disclaimer: I do not own Kamen Rider OOO, because if I did Ankh and Eiji would have been an official couple on the show instead of just teasing us with great Yaoi moments. All characters from Kamen Rider are owned by the Toei Company.

Author's Note: Alright folks, if you have NOT seen the end of OOO you should be ashamed and go finish it now. Don't worry, I'll wait. Feel better? Good. Now this part takes place after the show ends. Be warned though, this chapter is VERY dark and kind of creepy, not very kid friendly. I recommend reading this in a well lit room with some noise in the background so you won't get startled. In all seriousness if you don't' care for dark, gore, horror story stuff, you can skip this chapter and I'll see you in the next one with a minor recap.

This is for you Green Phantom Queen, thanks for the ideas.

Eiji was tired, worn out, and just exhausted beyond belief. The tiny bed in the attic of the Cous Coussier felt absolutely divine at the moment compared to the harsh ground and sand dunes he had been sleeping on for the past few months during his travels around the world. At least for the next week he could relax at his favorite place in the world.

Well, it would be his favorite place if it didn't feel so empty in the small room. Lying on his back, Eiji looked at the perch his Greeed had made when they first moved in. The red satin was a bit stained now and had wrinkles that would take forever to smooth out, but it was still Ankh's little nest. He had so many memories of them living in this room, memories of a better time when the world seemed to be happy even though Greeeds were running amuck in the city. His heart ached at those thoughts. They had fought a lot, argued, and even tried to kill each other on more than one occasion, but somewhere near the end, it all became unimportant. Reaching into his pocket Eiji pulled out the broken red core…Ankh's soul core.

Tears threatened to spill as his heart broke all over again. Even after that fight Eiji hadn't let himself truly understand the pain of losing his dear Greeed, to just let go and grieve. Sure, he knew that someday Ankh would be back, but that someday wasn't getting here fast enough. Here, laying in the bed they had both shared on the cooler nights, it brought the pain back, the pain of loss. He wanted to scream, scream and pummel someone, which is odd since he was against violence. Eiji didn't care if he could never become OOO again, he'd trade all that in just to have Ankh back.

No, that was being selfish. A smile escaped through the tears as he thought about being greedy for once. Isn't that what Ankh would want him to do? To have a desire so strong you want to say 'screw it' to the rest of the world? Maybe the Greeed had rubbed off on him a little bit. At least that's what his friends said.

Finally giving up, Eiji rose and opened the window letting the fresh air in. It had been a while since someone had occupied the tiny attic and he did drop by unannounced, asking for a place to stay for a little bit. Of course he would work for his housing; he had no problems with that at all. It would be a good change to have a simple job for once. Dress up in fun clothes, serve people, laugh and talk with others, he might even be able to do a bit more research on finding a way to revive Ankh. Anything was worth a try. Rubbing the tears away from his eyes, he sniffled a few times and let his gaze wonder around the room. Instinctually his eyes rested on the red satin perch once again. Knowing he wouldn't get much sleep, he stood and snatched the familiar cloth off the nest, and then laid back down in the light of the window to watch the stars sparkle in the night sky, cuddling with the cool keepsake of Ankh's, letting his tears fall. At some point, he had begun to drift to sleep.

-OOO-

"Eiji…" a voice whispered in the dark, disturbing Eiji from his sleep. "Eiji..." again, he heard the voice, this time the voice seemed to be in pain. It sounded so familiar though…something Eiji had heard countless times again and again…but his mind was too groggy with sleep that he couldn't focus. "Eiji…please…help me…" The darkness receded slowly in his mind letting the plea slip through the haze. That was Ankh's voice! Panic flared through Eiji in an instant.

"Ankh! Ankh I'm here." He sat straight up, eyes scanning the room for the familiar Greeed. Instantly his hand was searching the dress for the red, broken Core, but it wasn't there. "Ankh!" he shouted again as he threw the sheets around, searching for the pieces. It had to be here, it had to!

"Eiji…please…they are…hurting me…" Ankh's voice pleaded, followed by a groan of pain. Eiji looked around the dark attic, his eyes finally adjusting to the lack of light. Everything seemed to be in its place, just as it was before he went to bed; there was nothing but him and the trunks full of props and costumes. Frantic, he searched the bed area once again for the Core Medal, but it just wasn't there. Giving up, he called out to Ankh again.

"Ankh! I'm here! Where are you?!" He leaned out the window, scanning the empty alley way. "ANKH!" panic was beginning to crawl its way into his chest, gripping his heart in its tight grasp. No, he would not give in to fear yet, he was a Kamen Rider and he would get through this.

Ankh's groans turned into screams, stabbing Eiji's heart like daggers as he heard his name called out, begging him to rescue Ankh. Each scream pierced his skull, causing his heart to race and fear to close its hand around his heart a bit tighter. Determined, Eiji threw open the window and jumped out of it, landing not so gracefully out in the alley that ran behind the Cous Coussier, calling out Ankh's name. He didn't care if he woke the whole neighborhood, he would find Ankh and destroy the bastard who dare to hurt his Greeed. He took off running, calling Ankh's name again and again. His heart pounded in his skull with each scream, urging him to run faster, to find him.

Sobs, he heard someone crying. It was faint at first, but as he ran down the empty side streets, it slowly became louder and louder. Running down another alley he saw a door, barely open, and the sobs coming from within there. Stepping back he looked at the sign above the door, apparently It belonged to a closed down marionette store that used to sell toys to the local children. So why there would be crying in it was beyond Eiji. Either way, he decided to investigate; Ankh might be in there. Slowly the Rider crept up to the door and stuck his head in. If he had been paying attention, he would have seen the giant shadow of a bird pass over him from the alley, or heard the strange cry of this giant creature.

Everything stopped. Bile rose up in his stomach, threatening to make him sick right there in the alley. Inside the dim, dank room was something that froze his heart. As a man who faced countless danger while fighting the Greeed, traveling around the world to help improve the quality of life, it took a lot to shake him. There was blood everywhere, so much blood. Whatever the blood had come from couldn't be alive anymore. Rusty medical interments laid scattered around the room, covered in blood and god only knew what else. Saws, clamps, scalpels, even a strange sewing kit were all over. On the back wall, hanging from wires pierced through his hands, feet, and something around his skull, was a blond haired man covered in blood wearing familiar red pants and a black shirt with one sleeve ripped to reveal a talon. 'No' the word kept repeating itself in Eiji's head as he walked slowly towards the man hanging on the wall, the door closing softly behind him. Dim lights illuminated the hanging man. He was shaking, sobbing, and mumbling something.

"You idiot…why…I thought…I was precious…Eiji…you bastard…" the man mumbled as blood dripped from his hands onto the stained floor below. Terrified, Eiji stepped in front of the man, accidentally kick some sort of sawing tool on the floor. The person winced, growling low in his throat. "NO! Get away from me!" he screamed. Lifting his head, he stared straight past Eiji, the person searching the room for the source of the person who made the noise.

"Ankh," was all Eiji could say his heart lodged itself in his throat, cutting off anything else he was going to say. The man…the bleeding man stared hard at Eiji's face, not recognizing him. Light from a swinging lamp above showed why he was having such problems focusing: Ankh's eyes had been removed and replaced with glass bird eyes. His lips were sewn loosely shut, but able to still move a bit. Blood rolled down his cheeks, mixing with tears. Without a doubt, this was Ankh. The Greeed growled again, wincing in pain against the stitches. He relaxed as his willed his eyes to focus, but was still blind. Ankh listened careful as Eiji whispered his name again. Recognition flashed across Ankh's face, this was Eiji.

"Please…help…" Ankh leaned his cheek against the hand on his shoulder, drawing in the warmth of his lover. He pulled against the strings, trying to reach his hand out, but was unable to move it more than a few inches as the strings were supporting his arms, the wounds around the strings already beginning to heal, fusing with the cord. Hastily stitched scars ran along his exposed arms at the joints, showing signs of wear and tear and possible infection. He needed to get Ankh out of her fast if had any chance of survival. How long Ankh had been hanging here was unknown, but he needed to help him.

Hope swelled in Ankh's chest, adding new tears to his already beaten and violated body. He felt like such a coward for crying, he was a Greeed, he should be strong than this! Yet, feeling Eiji so close to him, it tore down all his barriers and he finally just let go. It took everything in Eiji's being to NOT grab Ankh in a tight embrace, tell him everything was going to be okay and that they would leave this godforsaken place. He couldn't do that, not until he was certain he could save his Greeed. He wished with all of his heart that their reunion had been different, but right now he needed to focus on Ankh, he was hurt badly possibly even dying.

"It's alright Ankh, I'm here now. Tell me, who did this to you?" He asked as he tried to undo the strings piercing Ankh's hands. It was no good though; it was steel cable run through, secured by something in his palm. He tried the feet next, no good, he couldn't get them off without essentially ripping off his hands and feet. "Can you transform Ankh? Maybe that will help." Again the Greeed sobbed and shook his head.

"It was…them…they are…back…" Ankh said his strength fading as both men tried to undo the ropes piercing him. It was no good; they were secure in his flesh. "Run Eiji…don't be an idiot…you can't save me…" It hurt so much to talk as Ankh's lips cracked and bleed against the stitches. Both men felt completely powerless at the moment, unable to do anything but comfort each other. Eiji lifted Ankh's head, leaning their foreheads together.

"I won't leave you ever again, I'll save you, I promise." Reaching into his pocket, Eiji felt for his belt, but it wasn't there. No, he couldn't have left it back at the restaurant; he always kept it with him. He began to frantically search his baggy traveling clothes, willing the belt to suddenly appear. It was no luck and Ankh's breaths were slowly fading into the silence as his strength began to perish.

Laughter, the kind a doll makes, flittered through the dark, dank room. It was a strange sound, as it seemed to echo, making it seem to come from everywhere yet nowhere. Ankh thrashed against the cables, but it was no good, his body went limp almost instant. He growled again. Eiji shifted in front of Ankh, shielding the Greeed with his body. The door banged open, slamming into the wall behind it bringing with it a chilly wind blasting in through the room, clanking the metal tools against one another causing them to ring into the night. A winged figure stood in the door way, blood dripping from the talons on its left arm. The creature laughed again as it stepped into the room and into the light.

The red Greeed stared at Eiji, smiling as it picked at the feathers on its arm to clean them. He was Ankh's Greeed form; the bird Greeed that was made from Ankh's missing parts, the Lost Ankh. Eiji looked over his shoulder at Ankh behind him who shaking with pure rage, frantically pulling on the ties, making the wounds worse as he reopened them, blood began to flow faster down his hands. He sounded scared and angry as he tried to not give into the panic that he was clearly lost in.

"I see you found my little pet! He is such a naughty birdy, not staying in his cage like I told him to. So, to make sure he doesn't fly away I decided I would cut his wings!" Lost Ankh said, laughing once again with the strange sound like a doll's. "But that wouldn't shut him up! His song was not beautiful anymore. Oh how he cried and cried…what were those words? 'Eiji help me' and 'save me Eiji' what a terrible song! Oh, my beautiful Mockingbird, how he angered me so with that hideous song. And yet, I showed him! Gouged his eyes out his song changed. He did whatever I wanted, just like a good little birdy. The glass eyes really do look nice, don't you agree? I couldn't just LEAVE the holes there; no, no it looked awful." Laughter rang through the room again, enraging Eiji. Henshin be damned, he charged the Fake Greeed, punching it in the side of the head, knocking him off his feet.

"YOU BASTARD!" he shouted, as rage pumped through him, causing that hand of fear to squeeze even tighter around his heart. No, this bastard would pay for what he did to Ankh. Lost Ankh sat up on the floor, smiling up at Eiji. The Greeed hesitated for a moment, his eyes glancing towards the open door before nodding and smiling at Eiji.

"So you are this 'Eiji' thing are you? Hmm, maybe I should keep you as a toy too, little Ankh does seem to like playing with you. Since you've arrived he has sung such a beautiful song of sobs and hope, oh it makes me shiver with delight," Lost Ankh slowly rose to his feet, wiping blood from his lip onto his thumb and tasting it. A sick smile twisted his lips as he walked towards Eiji. "You will be mine. You will be my plaything and you two will have so much fun together. I might play with you every day, but only if you are more fun than little Ankh. I wonder who is stronger, you or him? Let's find out." Wings spread, Lost Ankh dashed towards the Rider. Ready for the fight, Eiji threw his arm up, ready to block the attack, but before nothing connected. Suddenly, his world shifted, tilting as if he was falling backwards. His arms flailed a bit as he tried to get his balance, but he kept falling down, down, down into the inky darkness. The last thing he heard was his name from Ankh, the strange laughter of Lost Ankh, and a Crow's call before darkness swallowed him.

-OOO-

Eiji's head lolled from side to side as he slowly regained consciousness. Thank goodness it was just a dream. He felt like shit, his body was sore and it felt like his emotions had been on the most horrific rollercoaster that he was certain would never end. He had finally found Ankh again; only to watch him suffer in pain while being tortured by his lost half was just too much for the Rider to bear. He let out a shuttering breath and opened his eyes to the dim light.

Something was wrong, something was very wrong. This wasn't the Cous Coussier at all. No, he was in some strange living room. The walls were painted a sickly yellow and had pictures on them, pictures of…dolls it looked like, marionette dolls hanging from their strings. Each doll had a look of sadness to it, sadness and death. They were so realistic looking, like humans who had been transformed into a child's plaything. A shiver ran down his spine as he looked at each picture. One girl in the picture, he swore looked like Mezool's human form, with her school girl outfit ripped and stained with something that looked like blood. Her body was positioned as a ballet dancer about to take a leap, but something was wrong with it. Her doll body appeared to be chipped and broken in places, with part of her forearm missing completely. What the hell was going on?

Eiji tried to move his head to look around more, but found he couldn't budge, some type of rope or string suspended from the ceiling was holding him up. He attempted his move his arm, but felt the strings tug on it. His gaze focused on his hand, there appeared to be a fresh wound with the strings piercing his hands just like Ankh…just like Mezool in the picture. Panic fully grasped him this time causing him scream as he pulled harder on both his hands, but there was no give, he was strung up on something in the inky blackness above.

"Oh good, you are awake," Lost Ankh's voice boomed above him. Eiji's eyes searched around frantically, attempting to find the source of the sound. It was so hard to see with the dim light. He tried to step forward but his joints wouldn't work, it was if the tendons had been cut.

"What did…you do…to me," Eiji tried to shout, but ended up mumbling half of the inquary. His mouth…his lips had been sewn together! No…this had to have been a dream, it had to! He pulled against the strings again but his strength was rapidly fading. A bright light flashed from the blackness above, almost blinding the poor Rider.

"Don't you know? I've made you into the most wonderful toy!" A mirror was placed in front of Eiji while the voice spoke. Slowly he opened his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden bright light. The man in the mirror looked like Eiji, but he was all wrong. His clothing had changed from his tie-dyed shirt and pants to a strangely bright green short sleeved t-shirt and beige pants. Fresh stitching ran along the joins in his arms, appearing to connect one part of the arm to the other. Both his arms and legs had strings on them, disappearing into black ceiling above. His face was painted up with strange makeup, bright blush on his cheeks, exaggerated eyebrows slanted to make him seem happy, even his lips were painting into a forced smile; the strange stitches that kept his lips closed blending into the makeup well. His hair had been slicked back off of his face, almost glued in place.

Laughter dragged the shocked Eiji from his own reflection as he stared into the unending darkness above. Creaking wood echoed in the dark room as suddenly he felt himself dragged to his feet by the strings attached to his hands and feet. He resisted against the pull of the wires, but he was too weak, his body simply did not have the strength to resist. He stumbled along, his weight barley supported by the limbs, his head swinging around as his eyes frantically searched the darkness above for whoever was controlling him.

"Oh me, oh my… just wondering the world on my own little adventure, nothing exciting…" Lost Ankh narrated in a sing-song voice as the strings bounced Eiji like a marionette doll. "Oh? What's this?" Eiji stopped, his body lurching a bit before settling with his hands touching his face in mock surprise. The room was a bit different over here. The walls were still painted the same hideous yellow, but now there was some furniture. He appeared to be in a strange sort of living room. There were two dark brown chairs, each facing each other with a matching couch in between them. A beat up, glass top coffee table was placed in front of the furniture, with what looked like magazines scattered around it. Sitting on the couch was a now clean Ankh. Ankh's head hung but his arms were crossed over his chest with one leg over the other, almost looking he was sleeping. His face was painted similar to Eiji's, bright cheeks, forced smile, and strange eyebrows that made him seem a bit more feminine than he was. His red pants had been mended it seemed, the blood cleaned off of them as well as his shirt was neatly pressed and laundered. Someone had taken great care to make Ankh look presentable. Even the stitches around his joints had been redone with a more careful hand. Still, the strings connected his limbs to some great darkness above.

"ANKH, I'm here," Eiji tried to shout, but his voice came out as a strange grunt against the stitching on his lips. Ankh's eyes opened and his head lifted only enough to focus on Eiji. The strange doll eyes met Eiji's normal eyes, holding a sense of fear and pleading. Save me they seemed to say, but how could they save each other when they were both snared in the same trap? It didn't matter; Eiji would do everything he could to reach his hand out to Ankh and save him.

"Now, now, we don't need you to mess this up by adding your own dialog, that's why we closed that annoying mouth of yours," Lost Ankh's voice echoed from above. Suddenly Eiji was lifted off his feet by the strings, hovering in the air by the stings he thrashed back and forth very quickly, causing joints to spaz in a strange sort of dance before he simply was let go and crashed on the floor. In between the laughter of Lost Ankh, he heard Ankh call his name. Eiji's heart sang as he heard Ankh, at least he was mostly okay. They could beat this; as long as they were together they were strong. Summoning all his strength, Eiji resisted against the wires, reaching his hand to Ankh.

Ankh's eyes flashed as he, too, reached his hand out to the Rider. Suddenly both their ropes snapped taunt causing their arms to fly back and both men groaned in pain. "NO! NO! NO! You will not do as you wish! This is my playtime not yours!" Lost Ankh shouted at the two. Again, their ropes pulled against their limbs, causing both men to stand on their feet. "I'll show you who the true puppet master is!"

Eiji's hand moved on its own accord, reaching into his pocket. He felt something metal, could it be? Yes, the driver was there. He gripped it as hard as his damaged muscles would allow him. Surprisingly the hand withdrew, placing the belt around his waist, the driver clinking as the belt tightened around his waist. Neither Ankh nor Eiji complained, but kept their thoughts silent as their eyes met. If Eiji could transform into OOO, they stood a chance. Reaching into his other pocket, he pulled out three medals. Taka, Tora, and Batta shone in his hand as he let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. It wasn't the best combination, but it would enough for what they needed. If he was lucky, Ankh might have some cores that could give him a full Combo.

One by one, his hands moved by an unseen master and dropped the coins in. He shifted the driver into an angled position before grabbing the scanner and running it across the medals. They let out their familiar chime. "Henshin!" Lost Ankh shouted, startling both Ankh and Eiji. Why would he willingly let Eiji transform if Eiji could easily win? Unless…

"TaToBa…TaToBa TaToBa," Lost Ankh song along with the belt. Light surrounded Eiji as the armor fitted to his body. The red Taka helmet helped him to see in the room, but still he could not see above him. The yellow Tora chest plate helped him breathe a bit, his muscles feeling less tired from the unspeakable horrors that had happened to the rider while unconscious. Finally he felt the green Batta leggings snap around his legs, giving him the speed and agility he would need to get him and Ankh out of this mess. It felt good to be in this form again, he felt so powerful, like he could do anything. Hope blossomed in his chest as a plan started to form in his mind. The light faded and OOO stood in his battle ready position. They had a chance.

Ankh shifted his weight, cocking his hip out in his usual fashion. "Not so impressive," Lost Ankh said, attempting to imitate Ankh's voice. The strings pulled his left arm to the sky in an overdramatic fashion. Red light surrounded his body, as he spun on one heel. His arms flared out to the side as he spun, red light concentrating on his arms and slowly sliding up, revealing the usual talons underneath. At the shoulders the circles of light joined around his chest, separated with one heading towards his feed and the other to his head. He jumped in the air, arching his back painfully as he continued his slow spin, the lights traveling over him, exposing more of his Greeed form. Finally the light flared to a painful degree, temporarily blinding Eiji with its brightness, and Ankh landed gracefully on his feet, one hand pointing at Eiji and the other on his hip. As quickly as it came, it had disappeared. Ankh was now transformed into his Greeed form, his skin now covered in red feathers with green accents. His feathery mantle was black and white but on his back, where his wings should have been, were two bloody stumps that had been grinded to nubs.

"I see you found our little pet! He is such a naughty birdy, not staying in his cage like we told him to. So, to make sure he doesn't fly away we decided I would clip his wings!" Lost Ankh's voice whispered in Eiji's head, the memory of seeing a beaten and bloodied Ankh hanging by these strange ropes flooded his mind. The rage that filled OOO was nothing compared to the pain on Ankh's face as he struggled against the ropes. Guttural screams tried to pierce through the sealed lips, but it was lost and muffled. Hell had no fury like a Greeed scorn.

"Now, now save your rage for the battle in front of you, you're going to need it little birdy. This tiny bug looks a lot stronger than we thing; we must stay on our toes if we hope to win. Of course we shall fight to see who the absolute best is!" Lost Ankh's voice echoed through the room. Both men tilted their heads slightly and looked towards each other. Fight in front of you? But it was only Ankh and OOO in the room…unless…

The strings pulled, launching OOO towards the transformed Ankh. Another string shifted, swinging OOO's leg out, kicking Ankh in the side. The Greeed grunted but now his strings pulled, swinging his fist at OOO, hitting him in the helmet, sending the Kamen Rider falling to the floor. Slowly, an unwilling OOO was dragged to his feet, the strings pulling again as he returned the punch to Ankh.

Back and forth the two men traded blow for blow again and again. At least Eiji was able to prepare for the blows, poor Ankh was blind in this fight, relying on the manipulator to dodge the blows. The armor protected Eiji from most of the damage, but Ankh was at his weakest. Each blow OOO landed on Ankh was a blow to his own heart. No…he couldn't stop...his body kept moving on its own. Slowly, Ankh stopped fighting back, his energy was spent and his Core Medal was already so weak. Yet, their strange puppet master continued the sick brawl.

"Please…kill me…" Ankh mumbled through tight lips as his own blood ran down his face. He wanted the pain to stop, to end this useless fighting. OOO shook his head even as his arm punched Ankh in the cheek, cutting the wound open more. Tears poured from Eiji as he was slowly killing his best friend, and listening to Ankh's pleas for death.

"I…I can't Ankh!" Eiji groaned, his leg sweeping the legs out from under the wounded Greeed. His right hand reached for the Scanner at his waist.

"Scanning Charge" chimed Lost Ankh along with the belt as the scanner slid over the three cores, their chime piercing through Eiji's scream.

"Thank Goodness…now…I can rest…" Ankh closed his strange glass eyes as he heard the familiar chant. The strings pulled Eiji into the air as he prepared to do his signature kick. Through his own screaming he heard Lost Ankh's voice deliver his attack.

"Seiya!" Lost Ankh shouted as the energy surrounded OOO was shot towards the fallen Greeed. The attack pierced right though Ankh, his screamed lost to the sound of his medals shattering into a million fragments. There, in the center of the pile, was his red Core Medal, broken in several pieces once again.

"ANKH!" Eiji shouted as his heart shattering along with the medals on the ground. Sobs ripped from his chest as he pulled against the strings, wanting to hold Ankh, any piece of Ankh. His transformation canceled and the belt clunked heavily onto the floor. His clothes, neat and pristine, showed no signs of having just murdered his lover. Again and again he pulled against the strings, not caring about what happened to him, only needing to help Ankh. The strings resisted, pulling him into a sitting position similar to Ankh's on the chair, arms crossed over his chest, one leg over the other, and chin against his chest as his head felt heavy.

"I guess that's enough play time for today. I wonder who we will get to play with next," Lost Ankh wondered aloud as OOO's strings finally stopped moving. He felt like he had been hung up, the strings taunt only by the weight of his own body. It was strange, black feathers and red feathers rained down from the ceiling, followed by some hushed mumbling between two voices. Eiji couldn't make it out, he was still in shock. All alone, eiji sat there on the couch as the light above suddenly blinked out. Only the floor lamp next to the couch was left on, illuminating the tiny doll house like room. Naturally, the light reflected off the pile of broken Medals in the middle of the room, especially the bright red one. There was nothing else to do but wait and stare at the remains of his dear Greeed's dead body. Slowly, the world grew black again as Eiji was lost to his own sorrow.

-OOO-

"Good Morning!" a sing-song voice echoed softly in his grief stricken haze. He cringed at first, waiting to hear the horrible laugh of Lost Ankh. This felt different, felt less painful emotionally. He opened his eyes, expecting to see the strange doll world that he had been forced to sit in during those lonely dark hours. Instead he saw boxes and trunks, full of clothing and props. At the foot of his bed was a pile of things with a couch ontop, it was Ankh's perch!

"Eiji? Are you awake?" the voice asked, a bit louder this time, followed by a knock on the door. Sitting up quickly, Eiji looked around the room. It wasn't the same horror stricken room where he had been forced to kill the man he loved. No, this was the attic of the Cous Coussier, and it was morning. Ankh's soft satin blanket slid down his body, pooling in his lap.

"J-Just a minute!" he shouted, patting the night stand. There, on top of the OOO Driver, was Ankh's core. Still broken, but at least it was there. It had been a nightmare he told himself, chuckling as his body still shook with fear. He half-heartedly listened to Chiyoko inform him of today's theme for the restaurant as he changed his underwear into his bright green pair with the little humming birds on it.

There was still hope at reviving Ankh and Eiji would make damn sure nothing like that horrible nightmare happened.

Author's Note: PHEW! What a horrible, horrible nightmare! This is actually based loosely on a recurring nightmare I had as a child. I also tend to find marionette dolls to be rather creepy. The idea for the doll fight actually came from an episode I recently watched of Kamen Rider W where the monster…well I won't spoil it for you, just know it was a good episode. Thank you all for reading this. I decided to add this to the regular story once again because it flows better. That and no one was reading it –pouts- I hope you all enjoyed this.