The dimly lit lobby of a small, rundown motel was quiet except for the hum of a small television perched on the desk. The desk clerk, an older man with graying hair and a tired expression, leaned back in his chair, absently watching the news. The screen flickered with the breaking story from Hanta City.

News Anchor: Incredible news from Hanta City tonight as a masked hero, known only as Kamen Rider Magnus Soul, has saved the city from a monstrous creature that blotted out the sky. The battle was intense, but thanks to this mysterious savior, the city is safe.

The screen cut to shaky footage of a colossal shadow being torn apart by a figure in gleaming armor, a scene both awe-inspiring and surreal.

Desk Clerk: Heh. What kind of nonsense are they putting on the news these days? A masked man saving the city?

The news story transitioned to another segment.

News Anchor: In related news, Blake Faust, the heir to the Faust family fortune, has returned to his family's company and revealed himself to be Kamen Rider Faust. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the corporate world.

Footage of Blake Faust, a young man with an intense gaze, standing at a podium and making his announcement played on the screen. The desk clerk shook his head in disbelief, chuckling at the absurdity.

Desk Clerk: Kamen Rider Faust? What is this world coming to?

As he laughed, his attention was caught by movement outside the window. Two figures dressed in black walked by, their presence ominous and unsettling. The desk clerk's laughter died in his throat, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

Desk Clerk: Who the heck are they?

Rising from his chair, he moved to the window and peered out, but the figures had vanished into the shadows. His curiosity piqued, and a touch of fear creeping in, he stepped outside into the cool night air. The parking lot was eerily quiet.

Desk Clerk: Hello? Anyone out here?

The only response was the distant sound of traffic on the highway. He turned to head back inside when a bloodcurdling scream pierced the silence. It came from the far end of the motel. His heart racing, the desk clerk ran down the parking lot, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. Reaching the source of the scream, he found a door ripped off its hinges, the wooden frame splintered and broken. The room inside was a mess, furniture overturned, and personal belongings scattered. The guest who had been staying there was nowhere to be found.

Desk Clerk: What the hell happened here?

He stepped into the room, looking around in shock. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, and the silence was almost suffocating. He pulled out his phone to call the police, but his hands trembled so much he could barely dial the number. Before he could make the call, a shadow moved in the corner of his eye. Spinning around, he saw nothing but the darkened corridor outside the room. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

Desk Clerk: Just get the cops here. They'll know what to do.

As he turned back to the phone, he heard faint, hurried footsteps behind him. He spun around again, but the corridor was empty, the oppressive silence returning. The sense of being watched, of something lurking just out of sight, grew stronger. Holding his breath, he stepped back into the parking lot, scanning the shadows for any sign of the intruders or the missing guest. The night seemed to close in around him, the silence now a living entity, pressing down with an almost tangible weight. Then he turned and saw it. 

Desk Clerk: NO! NO! NOOOOO!!!

Back in the lobby, the sleeping desk clerk twitched and writhed around in his chair, as one of the two figures in black watched and laughed as he struggled. 

?: This is why you're not supposed to fall asleep on the job. Hahaha.

The desk clerk's eyes burst open as light emanated from them, and he suddenly began to change. 

?: HAHAHAHA! 




Episode 1: Dream a little dream!

The roar of flames filled the air, and the suffocating heat pressed in from all sides. A man, sweat pouring down his face, stumbled through the burning building, his vision blurred by smoke and tears. The acrid smell of burning wood and debris stung his nostrils, but he pushed forward, driven by the desperate, heart-wrenching screams of a child.

?: Hang on! I'm coming!

He forced his way down a narrow hallway, the walls crackling with the ferocity of the fire. Pieces of the ceiling began to fall, crashing to the ground in bursts of sparks and embers. The screams grew louder, more frantic, guiding him to a door at the end of the hall.

?: I'm here! 

Inside, the room was an inferno, but through the haze of smoke, he saw her, a little girl, huddled in the corner, tears streaming down her face. She reached out to him, her small hand trembling.

Girl: Help me, please!

He dashed forward, ignoring the burning pain in his lungs and the searing heat against his skin. He stretched out his hand, fingers just inches from hers.

?: I got you, I—

Before he could grasp her hand, a deafening crack echoed above. He looked up in horror as the ceiling gave way, massive beams and burning debris plummeting toward them. He lunged, trying to shield the girl with his body, his outstretched hand still reaching for her.

Girl: No!

The world collapsed into chaos and pain. The weight of the debris pinned him down, and he watched helplessly as the girl was engulfed by flames, her cries echoing in his ears.

?: No! No!

Everything went black.

The next day a truck pulled up to the motel, as the driver let a disheveled man out of the back, looking like he had just awoken from a horrible nightmare. He had medium length black hair, which he slicked back, as he dusted off his vest and jeans and fixed his tie. He was wearing a strange and ornate belt, with what appeared to be a clock on the face of it. He shook the hand of the driver. 

Driver: You sure this is where you want me to drop you off? 

?: Feels about right. 

Driver: Huh. Well alright then. You take care of yourself out here. 

?: Thanks. I appreciate the drive. 

Driver: Hey, I never got your name. 

?: …The name's…Nacht. Thanks again. 

The two shook hands before the driver took off down the road. Nacht made his way towards the motel lobby, as he was distracted by what appeared to be a news van nearby, and a very talkative lady exiting it with her cameraman as she took pictures of the area. 



Cameraman: Talena, I love you, but there is just no story out here in the sticks! 

Talena: Are you crazy Joe?! There are stories all over the place ever since that news out of Hanta City! Crazy things going on, and stories of people going missing or turning into monsters! 

Joe: I think it's a load of garbage! I mean every time we show up, things seem to be perfectly fine. Hoax after hoax! I don't know how much longer this old man can take the grind! 

Talena: You're only as old as you feel! 

Joe: Then why aren't I dead?

Talena: Move to Hanta City first. Apparently it's not a problem there! 

Joe: Yeah, I'm not buying any of that. 

Talena: Well I am! I just know that we're going to get to the bottom of this missing persons story! 

Joe: Uh-huh. I'm telling you, if we don't find something, you're going to get fired for taking the news van without permission. 

Talena: Yeah yeah yeah! I know what I'm doing Joe! Trust me! 

Joe: I don't know about all of that, but you're cute and I like you, so that's good enough. 

Talena: Works for me! Are we rolling? 

Joe: We will be in five, four, three-

Joe held up two, before pointing at Talena as she grabbed up her microphone.

Talena: This is Talena Wood, for Channel 5 news, and we're forty miles northeast of Hanta City, scene of several recent events that have intrigued the country! Not too far away from the big incident though other startling events have been taking place in small towns. Missing persons and reports of monsters. We're beginning an expose on the situation, we're going to keep you up to date on everything going on out here, because you the people, deserve to know the truth! 

Joe: And we're out! 

Talena: Great! That's how it's done! Joe! We're going to get to the bottom of this! I just know it!

Nacht smiled as he saw her beaming with pride, before he went inside to speak with the clerk. The clerk had a distant gaze about him, as he stared at the static on his old television. 

Nacht: Excuse me, sir? Do you have a room available? 

Desk Clerk: Huh? Room?

Nacht: Yeah, I'd like to get a room please?

Desk Clerk: Yeah, we have a room. Room 127, the room at the end. 

The dazed clerk tossed the keys to Nacht, as he looked perplexed at the man. 

Nacht: Don't you want me to pay for the room? 

Desk Clerk: 127….the room at the end. 

Nacht: Well…alright then. Thank you?

Nacht left some cash on the table before he walked back outside. That's when a motorcycle pulled up carrying a man and a young boy in the side car. The man wore a long coat, while the younger boy seemed to be wearing the hat that matched. 

Young Boy: Are we going to stay here tonight Johnny? 

Johnny: We sure are Timmy, because I'm exhausted. The bike handles well, but I'm still not used to driving. 

Timmy: You made it through the mountains though! 

Johnny: And it was white knuckle driving the whole time! 

Timmy: Huh?

Johnny: Nothing. It's fine. This has been fun so far, and we're just getting started! 

Timmy: Yeah!

As they walked by, Nacht thought he saw two figures in black standing in the distance, but as he adjusted his eyes, they disappeared, still he looked tense as he looked around. He stopped to see the man as confused as he was about the desk clerk, who just tossed keys mindlessly to him. 

Johnny: You sure I don't have to pay you anything? 

Desk Clerk: 126. It's at the end. 

Johnny: Well…thanks?

Like Nacht, he left some money on the table and walked off with the young man to the room. 

Timmy: Big bro, this is great! You think they have a pool?

Johnny: Not sure, but I guess we could go look. 

Timmy: Yeah! 

Nacht smiled before walking off to his own room. Not too far away, the two figures reappeared. One male and one female. 



Unknown male: I told you it would work. We plant a seed, and he shows up to nip it in the bud. 

Unknown female: He doesn't realize what he's doing. 

Unknown male: He knows. He knows exactly what he's doing, and quite frankly, I hope this one ends him. 

Unknown female: …. 

That night as Nacht lay in bed, he tried his best to fight sleep. The lure was there, but he had so much on his mind, and the nightmare was still there, waiting for him. He sat up to drink some water, and stared at a picture on the wall. It was a watercolor painting of various colors, but it seemed to confuse him, as he tilted it and looked closely at it, before ultimately brushing it off and walking away. That's when he felt it, like a tingle on the back of his neck. A sudden jolt, something he had been waiting for. He grabbed up the clock shaped belt from his bag and ran out of the room. 

In the next room over, Johnny felt an odd sensation too. It was something he was used to, and yet in this case it was completely unknown to him. He bolted awake to see the Hotel Clerk standing over Timmy, his eyes completely glazed over as a strange energy seemed to emanate from them both. Timmy was tossing and turning and struggling with something in his sleep. 

Johnny: Hey! What's going on here!? Timmy! Timmy wake up! You, you're not a Wraith. What are you? Hey! Answer me! Answer m-

The Desk Clerk threw Johnny across the room. He seemed to reach for something at his waist that wasn't there, as he panicked about what to do next. That's when Nacht kicked the door open. 

Nacht: Is this the room?! 

Johnny: What? Who are you? 

Nacht: No time to explain! I'm here to help!

Nacht ran over to see the Desk Clerk hovering over Timmy. 

Nacht: It's a Dream Eater! 

Johnny: A what? 

Nacht: The Nightmelions sent a Dream Eater here? I was right. They track me when I sleep! 

Johnny: This is feeling a little familiar. 

Nacht: Stand back! I will put a stop to this!

Nacht put his ornate belt around his waist and activated it. 

Belt: Doorway to a dream!

Nacht set the hands on the belt to midnight, and hit the button on top, putting him into a sleeplike state, before he disappeared in a flash of light. 

Johnny: This is VERY familiar…and yet. 

The air was thick with an oppressive darkness, the kind that felt alive, crawling into the deepest recesses of the mind. Nacht navigated the labyrinthine corridors of Timmy’s dreamscape. The walls of the dream were jagged, reminiscent of a large tomb-like cave, and echoed with the sounds of distant, terrified screams. Nacht moved silently, his senses heightened, following the faint, desperate cries of Timmy. Memories flickered in and out like broken film reels, a boy running through the corridors of an ancient cave, his face pale with terror.

Nacht: Hold on, Timmy. I'm coming.

As Nacht turned a corner, he saw it, a monstrous spider-like creature, a Dream Eater, its many eyes gleaming with malevolent hunger. The creature's legs skittered along the cavern floor, each step a thunderous boom in the dreamscape. It chased Timmy relentlessly, the boy's terrified sobs echoing through the cave.

Timmy: What am I doing back here? Why am I here? Johnny! Help me! Somebody, please!

Nacht’s heart clenched at the sound, and he quickened his pace. He saw Timmy trip and fall, the boy's wide eyes filled with despair as the Dream Eater closed in, its fangs dripping with a dark, viscous liquid.

Nacht: Timmy! Hold on!

With a surge of speed, Nacht leaped over the jagged rocks, landing between Timmy and the monstrous creature. The Dream Eater hissed, its many eyes focusing on this new threat.

Spider Dream Eater: You... this is my domain. 

Nacht ignored the creature's taunts, his focus entirely on Timmy. He reached out a hand, glowing with a soft, comforting light.

Nacht: Timmy, take my hand. I’m going to get you out of here. 

Timmy, tears streaming down his face, hesitated for only a moment before grasping Nacht’s hand. The warmth of the light seemed to calm him, his grip tightening as if it were his lifeline.

Nacht: You have no power here. The mind of this child, the dreamscape of the innocent. You think it belongs to you, but it doesn't. You have no power here, and you have no right to be here, and I'll rip you out of here myself! 

The Dream Eater lunged, but Nacht was ready. With his free hand, he summoned a glowing energy, channeling it into a fist that radiated with an intense, purifying light. As the Dream Eater's fangs descended, Nacht struck, delivering a powerful blow to the creature's head.

Nacht: Begone, nightmare!

The impact was explosive, the light searing through the Dream Eater’s dark form. The creature shrieked, its body convulsing as the light spread, enveloping everything around it. 

In the motel parking lot, Talena took pictures of the area, and opened her news van to check the internet for any updates on missing persons cases. 

Talena: *sigh* Come on. I mean, it's not like I want people to go missing, but I need a lead on this story. I need to crack the case. I need something! Anything!

Suddenly, she heard a loud screech from room 126. She turned to see the door burst open, as a large spider-like monster toppled out, and the motel desk clerk took off running. 

Talena: ….That'll do!

As she went to grab her camera, she heard voices from within the room. 

Belt: Nacht into Dream! 

Nacht: HENSHIN! 

Out of the motel room stood a man, standing in a suit of armor. As he stepped forward, his belt seemed to address his name. 

Belt: KAMEN RIDER DREAM!



Standing defiantly between the monster and the motel, where terrified guests watched from behind their curtains, was Kamen Rider Dream. His armor shimmered with a dream-like iridescence, a stark contrast to the darkness of the Dream Eater.

Kamen Rider Dream: Your nightmare ends here, Dream Eater!

The Spider Dream Eater hissed, its jaws clicking with a sinister rhythm. Without warning, it lunged forward, its legs striking out with deadly precision. Kamen Rider Dream leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack. He landed gracefully on the roof of a parked car, his eyes never leaving the creature.

Spider Dream Eater: Hiss! The boy is tainted with death! He's seen the horrors that satiate my appetite! Give him to me, and I will spare you! 

Kamen Rider Dream: With every fiber of my being, with all my strength, and everything I've got, I will tear you limb from limb for attacking that young boy Dream Eater! You will not corrupt and consume the dreams of the innocent anymore! 

Kamen Rider Dream extended his hand, summoning the Dream Blade, a weapon forged from the essence of pure dreams. The blade shimmered with an ethereal light as he prepared for battle.

Kamen Rider Dream: Let's see how you handle the power of dreams!

With a swift motion, Kamen Rider Dream charged, his movements fluid and agile, leaving a sparkling trail behind him as he moved. The Dream Eater met him head-on, its legs slashing through the air like deadly spears. Kamen Rider Dream parried each attack with his blade, sparks flying as metal clashed against chitin. The Dream Eater reared back, spewing a web of dark, sticky silk. Kamen Rider Dream rolled to the side, avoiding the trap, and countered with a powerful slash that cut through the webbing. The monster screeched in anger, its eyes burning with a malevolent glow.

Kamen Rider Dream: This ends now!

Channeling his power, Kamen Rider Dream leaped high into the air, the hands on his belt seemed to spin, and sped him up, as time around him seemed to slow down a dialate. He came down like a meteor, with an explosive and colorful kick directly into the creature. It flung him back as Dream spun his blade in air and summed a large energy above him. He swung the sword down and brought the energy down like a hammer. 

Kamen Rider Dream: NIGHTMARE SMASHER! 

The energy collided with the Dream Eater and blew him up in the center of the parking lot. Talena stood back in shock, her camera rolling as she captured the fight in all of its glory. Kamen Rider Dream looked at the crater that the Dream Eater left, before turning to see Talena. She was stunned by his sudden turn, and equally stunned by his quick escape into the darkness of the night. As he ran, the unknown female watched him carefully. 

Unknown Female: ...Nacht.

The next day, Johnny and Timmy were loading up the motorcycle, while the Motel Clerk tried in vain to tell the police that his nightmare controlled him and sent a giant spider monster after the guests. 

Timmy: I had the weirdest dream last night Johnny. 

Johnny: Oh yeah? You remember much about it? 

Timmy: Not really, but I knew it was scary, and I think I saw a giant spider monster.
 
Johnny: Those aren't fun. I know from experience. 

Timmy: Giant spider dreams?

Johnny: Giant spider something.

As Johnny helped Timmy pack, he looked over and saw someone standing over by the vending machines. 

Johnny: Timmy, wait right here. I'm going to get us a snack. 

Johnny walked over as Nacht grabbed a soda from the machine. 

Johnny: Caffeine huh? You look tired. You sure you want to drink that?

Nacht: It's best if I stay awake. 

Johnny: I see. I uh…I know what you are. 

Nacht: Pardon?

Johnny: The belt…the transformation. 

Nacht: …Perceptive. 

Johnny: I was a Detective in a previous life. Don't worry, I won't make a scene about it. I just wanted to say thank you. I just got my brother back, and you saved him when I couldn't.

Nacht: You love your brother. Take good care of him.

Nacht pat Johnny on the back and began walking down the road. 

Johnny: Heh…I'll see you down the road….Kamen Rider. 

In her news van, Talena was getting shouted at over the phone by her boss. 

Talena: Boss! Boss! I know you're mad! I know I "technically" took the van without permission, but I got it! I got the footage! You are going to go crazy when you see it! I will send it to you soon I promise!

Talena quickly hung up and put on the footage, but her smile turned to stunned shock, as the footage on the camera was pitch black, with only the sound playing. 

Talena: I…I…left the cover on the lens? 

Joe: That's why you brought me along for! 

Talena: You were asleep! No! No no no! No! This can't be happening! *sigh* It's fine. It's fine! We're onto something here Joe! We're on the right path! This is only the beginning! I'm going to follow him! I'm going to find out more about him! I'm going to find you….Kamen Rider Dream.

Nacht made his way down the road, with his thumb out, hitching a ride to the next place he'd be needed…

To Be Continued…

Last edited by Machismo (7/04/2024 5:10 am)