Dreams are for Nights

Chapter 13 – Gauntlet

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. The name 'KoAnkh' is mine though.

Author's Note: Stay brave Eiji, the hardest part of the journey is at hand. We are behind you so don't give up hope! Whatever you do, DON'T LOOK BACK!

I apologize for the language some of these characters have no manners.

Chiyoko sat on the edge of the tiny bed in the attic above her restaurant, dabbing a wet cloth on a lost little boy's forehead. Of course he didn't look like a little boy at all more like a strange hawk monster. That didn't matter though, he was still important. Over the past hour the magician, Haruto, had informed the restaurant on all he knew of the situation. Hina had suggested calling her brother to have him help with today since it looked like this was going to be a dangerous situation. Placing the cloth back in the bowl she picked it up and headed down stairs for the shift change.

"How is he doing?" Hina asked as she changed a few more stars around the dining room, trying to give it a more summer feel. Chiyoko sighed heavily as she sat in one of the booths.

"I guess he is doing well. I haven't seen any new cracks forming, so that is good." Chiyoko replied as she tried to rub the kinks out of her neck.

"That is good…right Haruto?" Hina asked the Magician who was now helping Shingo hang another banner across an archway.

"It's a start. Nothing else we can do until Eiji comes back." Haruto answered, tying a knot in the string, hoping the banner would hang straight.

"I just hope they are strong enough for this." Gotou said as he stepped back, double checking the banner. "I'll go up and watch him for a while. I'll report if anything changes."

"Thank you Gotou, this has been a huge help to me…to all of us," Hina said smiling at the Rider as he climbed the stairs, not seeing his flushing cheeks.

A train whistle echoed through the down stairs dining room, catching everyone's attention followed by a loud thud from the coat closet. Shingo, Haruto, Hina, and Chiyoko all edged closer to the tiny room, Chiyoko holding a broom she was using earlier, ready to attack if needed. Hina looked over at Haruto as she heard a strange Driver on, please from his belt.

"Ouch! I thought you said this was the front door," a man's voice said, muffled by the door. "Deneb, were you even paying attention?"

"I'm sorry Yuuto I must have missed the juncture. At least we have arrived at our destination…I believe," a second male voice laughed nervously.

"Deneb…" the first man growled. There was another bang as some things fell over onto people. "Can anyone reach the door knob?"

"I think we should open it for them, they seem to be stuck," Chiyoko whispered, hiding behind Shingo with her broom ready. Smiling, Haruto stepped forward and opened the door. Six bodies spilled out of the tiny room followed by another train whistle. Haruto was caught off guard and was pinned under everyone.

"Yo, Shotaro your elbow is crushing my rub cage," a high school boy who had been at the restaurant yesterday said as he tried to wiggle out from the dog pile.

"Sorry Gentaro but I'm pinned under Philip," the detective said, struggling to roll out.

"Oh my goodness," Hina exclaimed as she grabbed Deneb, who was on the top of pile, and pulled him off with her inhuman strength. The pile fell apart, everyone finally free.

"Welcome to the Cous Coussier! I'm sorry but we don't open for a few more hours," Chiyoko said as she helped a man in a green suit to his feet. Shingo and the others helped the new arrivals up as well. The man in the green suit extended his hand to Haruto, smiling at the Rider who was flat on his back still.

"Sorry about that, didn't see you there," the man said laughing as Haruto was pulled up.

"No worries. It is good to see you again Sakurai, who are all these people," Haruto asked, looking at the high school students and the detectives. Gentaro stepped forward and extended his hand to the Magician.

"I'm Gentari Kisaragi, the man who will befriend all the Riders!" Gentari exclaimed, smiling broadly at the slightly confused Haruto. Sakurai sighed and shook his head.

"Allow me to introduce everyone…" Sakurai said.

-OOO-

It was eerily quiet outside of the Temple in the Underworld. Eiji swore his heartbeat echoed off the walls in the open cave. Ahead of him Ramon sat on the edge of his boat, fixing the little lantern that hung from a hook. He glanced at the noise, still in his Bashaa form and tilted his head at Eiji.

"I guess you're running the Gauntlet huh? I'm glad you made it! Sadly though, I have to charge you double," Ramon thought for a moment on what he should possibly charge Eiji. "That core was very nice…perhaps you would like to give me-"

"I was told to give you these," Eiji interrupted, reaching into his pocket to hand Ramon the two chess pieces. The Merman blinked his large eyes, almost afraid to touch them. Cautiously, as if reaching for a live snake, he took the pieces into his hands. "I was also told to tell you to give me back my Taka Medal in exchange for noodles Maya promised to get for you when she went to the Awaken World." Ramon groaned aloud.

"But I liked the red Medal…it was so pretty…" He grumbled but took the core out and tossed it to Eiji. "Fine, it's probably better in your hands so you can transform. With that spirit following you the waters will be extremely violent." Eiji nodded as he held the core close to his chest. Yes, he needed this comfort. Summoning the OOO Driver he slid it around his waist, putting the three core medals in it and sliding the OOO scanner over it.

Taka, Tora, Batta! TaToBa! TaToBa TaToBa! The belt chimed as the cores surrounded Eiji, transforming him into OOO. He let out a sigh of relief as he felt the familiar red, yellow, and green armor surround him giving him the strength he would need for this challenge.

"You better sit in the front, that way you won't be tempted to look back," Ramon suggested as he held the boat still for OOO to get in. Eiji sat at the very front, his heart pounding as he waited to feel the boat shake for Ankh to get on. The only movement he felt was when Ramon pushed the boat from the shore.

"Wait, what about – ouch," Eiji winced as Ramon hit him with the oar.

"Eyes forward! Trust me, Ankh is here. Just keep an eye out for lost spirits." Eiji blushed in his helmet as he almost failed yet again. It was a wonder how he was going to make it to the top without losing Ankh. He had to trust in the Greeed.

Pushing all thoughts aside, Eiji kept his eyes forward as he watched waves come towards him. Spirits rose out of the water slightly, groaning and screeching as they reached out for the boat. They were hairless and light green, their skin wrinkled from being submerged for so long. Several reached onto the boat, groaning as they grabbed at Eiji, trying to get to Ankh.

"No! You can't have him!" Eiji shouted, the yellow symbol on his chest shining brightly as claws extended from his hands. He swiped at the Spirits, cutting a few down.

"Don't worry about hurting the spirits! The water will heal them after a while. Just keep them off of us!" Ramon shouted firing a barrage of bubbles at the monsters attacking them. Eiji nodded his head, determination burning brightly within as he slashed at the monsters.

'Oh God, Eiji, help me!' Ankh's voice echoed from behind him followed by several screams. The boat rocked violently followed by a huge spash.

"ANKH," Eiji shouted, trying to turn around again, but was hit once again with an oar.

"I won't warn you again, eyes forward! The spirits are playing tricks on you he is fine!" Ramon scolded, kicking another Spirit in the chest as it tried to topple the boat. "We're almost there, just hold on." Bubbles fired from every which way as the boat picked up speed. OOO slashed with every fiber of his being, his own screams drowning out Ankh's as tears rolled down his cheeks. He could do this, he could.

The boat came to a violent halt as it hit the shore, almost toppling Eiji onto the beach. Eiji jumped out the side and ran towards the staircase.

"Keep going, I'll keep them back. Don't listen to the voices; they will try to trick you!" Ramon shouted as he shot the monsters with his bullets. "Tell Jiro I need help!" Eiji's heart went out to the young man who was doing so much to help. He would find a way to repay that kind of kindness. He dashed up the stairs, lanterns on the wall coming to life as he approached.

"Eiji, they won't let me leave! AH! They are trying to eat me! Please help me damn it!" Ankh's voice cried out, cracking Eiji's heart. No, he had to keep going. Just a little further and he would be at the door, he could do this.

"Please Eiji…if you love me…help me…" His voice sounded so pained, as if they were truly tearing him apart. Images of Ankh lying in the pile of rags back at the Temple, his body broken and half eaten flashed through his mind. He shook his head to clear those memories, his heart cracking with every scream. His resolve was beginning to waver. Pushing himself harder, Eiji burst through the door at the top of the stairs.

-OOO-

Haruto descended the stairs slowly, his mind racing with possibilities that could be happening inside Ankh or KoAnkh's Underworld. He put on a brave front for the others but in all honesty, he was just as much in the dark as they were. He knew what should be happening, but when the other rider, Gotou, and Hina had explained what the Greeeds were, he wasn't sure anymore. Either way, the group needed hope. They came all the way here to give that hope to Eiji which meant it was Haruto's job to keep everyone else's hope alive.

Hina met him at the base of the stairs, a fresh bowl of water in her hands and a wash cloth draped over her arm. She smiled meekly up at the magician, but it quickly began to waver. "Is he…going to be okay," she asked, her voice cracking slightly. Haruto put on his best smile as he noticed Gotou watching him.

"Of course he will. Only one or two new cracks have formed, but they are tiny so nothing to worry about," Haruto answered, patting her gently on the shoulder. Hina laughed softly to herself.

"Thank goodness, I've been worried. I'll go keep an eye on him now I suppose," she bowed slightly to Haruto before running up the stairs water sloshing over the side of the bowl. Before Haruto could take two steps Gotou was there, his face serious and threatening.

"You are lying to her, aren't you," Gotou asked, drying his hands on a hand towel. Even dressed as a strange Garuda he was threatening. It was obvious he had feelings for Hina, but the girl was so wrapped up in the situation around her she probably didn't even notice. Haruto chuckled quietly.

"Not a big lie, just a little white one. She needs something to keep her going, all these people do. I think he can do it, he just needs a bit of help," Haruto looked upwards, his mind racing once again. Inside he could hear the WizarDragon churning, wanting to go defeat the Phantom that could potentially be made. The Greeed were made from a strange, old magic. Neither Haruto nor WizarDragon had any idea what would come if the Phantom was allowed to escape.

"I guess that is why we are all here, isn't it." Gotou looked at the dining room filled with Kamen Riders, each one having a strange connection to Eiji in one way or another. Everyone in the restaurant knew that they would gladly lay their lives on the line for Eiji. For their fellow Rider to be so close to his life's goal, he just had to make it. "I have faith in Hino he will survive this as will Ankh." Gotou said with an amazing amount of certainty in his voice. "Hina knows that too, but she will still worry as will Chiyoko." Haruto tilted his head to the side at the Rider.

"How do you know that," Haruto asked. If anything the actions of Chiyoko and Hina told everyone else that they should hope for the best but expect the worst. Gotou drew a deep breath to explain, but was interrupted by Hina rushing back down stairs, shoving herself between Haruto and Gotou.

"Everyone, come quick, something…something is happening," Hina exclaimed, her breath coming in gasps as she turned and ran back upstairs, not caring if anyone else followed. The Riders exchanged looks this was the moment they had been summoned for. Six men summoned various belts, snapping them around their waist.

Shingo blinked as the Riders ran up the stairs to the tiny attic room. The mysterious school girl chased after them as she held some herbs in her hand and the strange Imagine bringing up the end.

"I feel quiet inadequate compared to them…" Shingo said softly as he made his way up the stairs behind the group. Chiyoko put her hand on the detective's shoulder, smiling at him.

"Don't worry you have your own strengths. Even super heroes need friends." Chiyoko gave him a big hug as she walked upstairs with Shingo. Even though neither of them had anything special to offer the group, they were here for support. Sometimes those who face the darkness needed someone to be the light to remind them of the good inside.

-OOO-

Jiro jumped as the door leading to the River below burst open, slamming against the stone wall. In an instant he leapt out of the chair, his claws dragging on the ground to create blue sparks allowing him to transform into his Wolfen form. He crouched on the ground, ready to strike when he saw a disheveled OOO running towards him.

"What the hell…" Jiro began but looked past to see the spirit following him. He understood and let out a loud howl.

"J-Jiro! Please…you…you have to help Ramon!" Eiji said as he almost collided with the Wolfen. "They...they are trying to take Ankh...please! I'm begging you." Jiro could hear the tears in the man's voice. It tore at him, but what could he really do? It was Eiji's gauntlet to run and any outside interference would be a sort of disqualification.

'Damn it Eiji! Help me! Are you going to abandon me again to these damn souls?! You promised…AHHHH!' Ankh's screams echoed in Eiji's head. The Rider shut his eyes tight trying to block the sound but it did nothing. He wanted to look back, to check on Ankh, but he had already been warned.

"Please Jiro…I'm begging you…" OOO whimpered, his body shaking in pain so great he wondered if he was going to break right here. Jiro grabbed OOO's arms, preventing him from collapsing on the floor.

'You…you are replacing me…you love him more than me…why…was I not good enough for you?' Ankh's voice echo'd once more. Eiji shook his head.

"No Ankh…I meant what I said…" Eiji whispered aloud, holding onto Jiro for support as he sobbed. "I meant every word…"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Jiro snarled, dragging the Rider to his feet and giving him a good shake. "Pull yourself together!" Eiji just shook his head, still crying inside the helmet.

'You're in another's arms…I…I see now…you…you betrayed me once again. How many times do you plan on killing me Eiji? How many times are you going to break me? Are you going to toss away KoAnkh just like you did me?' the voices echoed throughout Eiji's head. He covered his ears, trying to block the sound but they were coming from inside him. All Eiji could do was scream.

"Oh for the love of God…" Jiro rolled his eyes before punching Eiji in the face. The Rider stumbled for a moment then looked up at Jiro, finally seeing the Wolfen in front of him. "Pull yourself together and get the hell out of my castle! This is why I hate humans you all are weak in the heart. If you understood what it was like to find your perfect mate then you wouldn't be bombarded by the spirits." Jiro howled once more and pushed past Eiji, dashing to the stairs. He stopped at the doorway.

"Weak in the heart…" Eiji mumbled, still looking at the door that would lead him to the final hallway outside.

"Don't keep looking to the past OOO, start moving forward instead," Jiro said before he tore off down the stairs, slashing at spirits that had managed to get passed Ramon. His howls echoed off the stone walls.

"Start moving forward…" Eiji whispered as he took a step forward, followed by another. The voices seemed a bit quieter now but he still felt so alone. Shaking his head he ran through the double doors into the hallway that would take him out of Castle Duran and into the blissful sunlight. The sconces on the wall lit up as he ran down the hallway, illuminating the pitch black hall. There, up ahead, he saw the final flight of stairs as well as a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. He could do this he just had to trust in himself.

Taking the steps two at a time, he prayed to whatever deity felt like listening that Ankh truly was behind him. Everything in his body screamed at him to turn back, to make sure he was okay, but a tiny light in his heart kept urging him forward. He trusted that light, as he always would. Up ahead the light grew brighter and brighter as Eiji could finally make out the teeth that marked the entrance to Castle Duran. Letting out a battle cry, he lunged through the hole into the bright sunlight.

-OOO-

Haruto crouched next to the sleeping Greeed on the bed, his brows furrowed as he inspected the numerous cracks that had formed. Hina sat on the bed replacing the older cloth with a fresh one over its forehead.

"Is everything okay," Hina asked as she smoothed back the feathers, smiling down at the form she had begun to care about so long ago. Ankh was like another brother to her and she wanted him to be safe. Haruto straightened and shrugged, his Driver still around his waist.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. It usually doesn't take this long, in fact I'm surprised he has lasted," Haruto said honestly. Silence hung thick in the room as everyone assessed the situation in their own way.

"What happens if he fails," Shotaro asked as he adjusted his hat, a purple Gaia Memory in his hand just in case he needed it. All eyes focused on Haruto.

"Then…we have to kill whatever beast erupts from the shell," Haruto looked back at the Red and Green body, watching as more cracks formed. Tears silently rolled down its cheeks. Tension filled the air as no one dared to talk.

"You can do it Kamen Rider OOO," Tomoko shouted, startling everyone in the room. Gentaro put his hand on her shoulder, laughing at the girl's energy.

"Come on OOO, don't give up! Settle it man to man," Gentaro pounded his chest twice and pointed at the Greeed's body, the Fourze Driver around his waist with two of the switches already flipped, ready for anything.

"You can count up your sins later OOO, just make it through this trial," Shotaro looked at his partner and smiled. Philip closed his book and chuckled softly.

"Sometimes you just need to look inside for the answers, be brave and grab onto the book of your life with both hands," Philip nudged his partner, flushing ever so slightly at these strange emotions.

"We are here to help you Eiji," Hina smiled down at the Bird Greeed as memories flooded her of their adventures together.

"All you need to do is reach your hand out Eiji, we'll grasp it and help you!" Shingo shouted from the back of the room.

"I told you from the start Hino, you are a very strong person!" Sakurai nodded his head as glanced at the Memory Card in his hand, the hopeful energy in the room surprisingly contagious.

"Even if it seems futile, there is always hope," Deneb said putting his hand on Sakurai's shoulder.

"You never gave up Hino, you can do this," Gotou nodded his head, the Birth Driver still around his waist as he held a Cell Medal tightly in his hand.

"You will always have a home here so make sure you come back," Chiyoko giggled as she looked around the room at all of Eiji's friends.

"Light will always shine around you even as you fight the shadow known as 'doubt'. Have hope though, the curtain has risen on your play Eiji and you have to stick with it to the end. It's show time," Haruto said as he put his hand on the Greeed's chest over where the heart should be. Hope pulsed in the room as everyone watched and waited.

-OOO-

Kamen Rider OOO shielded his eyes from the glaring sunlight as he stumbled out of the sleeping dragon. They were hiding deep in a forest the sun up high above the little clearing. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as Castle Duran yawned once again, rolling its head over.

"We…we made it…" Eiji whispered aloud. Laughing he opened his arms to the warm light. "We did it Ankh!"

'I'm so glad Eiji! Turn around and let me see your face please….' Ankh's voice whispered softly, a chuckle echoing slightly in the empty forest. Eiji smiled as he slowly turned to see his partner once again.

"Eiji no," several voices shouted at once. Suddenly, Eiji was grasped by eleven pairs of hands. Ahead of him the spiritual forms of his friends were there, restraining him from turning around. He struggled against their grasp, but it was too strong.

"They are right OOO," a girl's voice said as she wondered into the clearing. Mio held her arm, blood dripping down from her hand. She was a bit beat up, but smiling. "You aren't out of the Gauntlet yet." Eiji shook his head in disbelief.

"But they said…I had to get to Sanctuary…" Eiji mumbled, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled against his friends. "Let me go! I have to see Ankh!"

"This is how Orpheus failed," Philip said calmly, giving Eiji a good shake.

"You have to come home Eiji," Chiyoko's sing-song voice said, penetrating his denial. He looked up at the faces of the people who supported him, who had helped him get through so much.

"But…how…" Eiji whispered, tears forming once again as he held onto the people in front of him, leaning on them for support.

"The Cous Coussier," Mio said, her eyes scanning the sky. "We need to hurry though." Eiji nodded as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He was almost home.

"Well, well, well, look what I found here! Oh my, such a very special meal, it must be my birthday," a voice cawed from above the group. Up above the clearing the Crow Yummy hovered, his wing damaged and parts of his body bleeding. He laughed at the scene below him.

"Looks like we just jumped out of the frying pan Ankh," Eiji mumbled to himself as he wasn't sure what to do.

"Go! We'll handle this," Sakurai shouted at Eiji as his spirit form slid the Memory Card into his belt. Silently thanking his friends, Mio grabbed Eiji's hand as they dashed through the woods towards their freedom.

Author's Note: So close Eiji, so close! This chapter may seem a bit short, but I wanted to break up the gauntlet into two parts to give each their own space to develop. We are almost home, can Eiji do it? Keep on cheering! Also, I lied about Haruto being the last Kamen Rider Cameo...we have one more to make hehe.