So after beating Kingdom Hearts 3... I was very sad to learn the original Riku Replica dies. So cause I love Riku and the original Riku Replica, I wanted to do something to save him.
I hope you all enjoy this nice long one-shot! And thanks to TheDeadGirlRisen, tmart.x13, and Hika-neko-chan for working with me to figure out a title.
Riku stood on the shores of Destiny Islands. The waves slowly washed up and nearly touched the tips of Riku's shoes. Riku closed his eyes and he took in a long deep breath. He thought being home and watching the sunset would relax him, but nothing seemed to be helping.
The events that had just transpired a few short days ago still loomed in his head. Though many things were going through his mind, there was one thing of many that stuck out more.
The Replica of himself. The first Replica of him.
"No. The world already has you."
Those words still lingered in his mind. Echoing as loud as when he first had heard them. He couldn't stop thinking about them either. The way he had said it with a calm and relaxed smile… it pained Riku's heart. He knew his replica was doing it for a good reason. Because of what his replica did, Naminé was able to have a body. She was soon going to be able to live her own life, all because of a replica who cared for her, but it was at the cost of his own life.
"After everything he's been through, everything he's done, he was given a chance at life, and yet he turned it down for her, for Naminé. I know he was doing it for her, but did it really have to end that way? Couldn't there have been something else we could have done? I was granted a second chance, so why shouldn't the other me?"
Exhaling slowly Riku closed his eyes and let the thoughts sink in even further. He knew there could have been something he could have done. He could have found a way to have also saved his replica. But if he was gone… there wouldn't be anything more he could do.
But Riku wasn't about to give up. He opened his eyes again, now with a sense of determination. "He has to be out there. I can… feel it. The other me...or really both of them… they are still out there. It may be just a hunch… but I think I know where they could be."
That little feeling was all Riku needed. He knew what he needed to do now. He would go out to find his replica and save him. Though he still wondered about the second one. The second replica of him that was apart of the Organization. He wasn't too sure about him still. He knew that it was a replica made from when Ansem possessed him, so the chances of also saving him felt less likely. But there was still the need to try.
"Are you sure Riku?" Mickey asked Riku after he had explained his plan. "It still can dangerous to go back into the Realm of Darkness."
"I know, but I have to do this. I have to see. If the other me is still out there and still holding on, then I want to do something to save him," Riku replied, speaking in a serious tone. "And that's why I need your help, because your keyblade is how I can get back there."
"All right Riku," Mickey said with a nod. "I'll help you, but I'm also going with you. You can't go alone for something like this."
"I know. I was going to ask you to come along anyways," Riku replied as he smiled at his friend.
The two of them then headed off to start another journey back into the Realm of Darkness. Riku felt a slight bit of uncertain though as they walked. After the last conversation he had with his replica… how was he going to get him to come back? He had seemed at peace with the choice he had made. He willingly choice not to have a body and to seemingly fade away.
The small, but meaningful smile he had given Riku before faded away flashed up in Riku's mind again. That selfless smile was proof enough that he deserved better. He deserved far better to just fade away entirely and only be a memory.
Riku and Mickey had finally entered the Realm of Darkness and began their search around the place. Riku didn't say a word since they had entered and only focused on looking where he was going.
"So Riku… Do you even know where to look?" Mickey asked as he tried to keep pace with Riku.
"No. Not exactly," Riku said. "But I have a feeling where to look."
There was one particular spot in mind where Riku thought he should go. He kept walking forward as he headed in the direction of the beach with the sea of darkness. That was the place he had a feeling he should look. That was the place where he first ended up meeting his replica again.
They walked a bit further until they could see the glistening dark shores ahead of them. But that wasn't the only thing they saw. Even though they were a short distance away they could see that there was something at the edge of the beach. Two something to be articulate.
One had a glow of light surrounding them and the other had darkness around them. Without having to look a second time Riku took off running, leaving Mickey behind.
"Riku! Wait up!" Mickey said as he started to run after Riku.
Riku got closer to the shoreline and it was in fact who he thought it was. It was both of the replicas of him. They were locked in an intense gaze as the original replica gripped the wrists of the darker one. The dark replica seemed to be trying to get away, but was struggling. Riku also saw as he got closer, both of the replicas looked fainter than he last saw them.
It seemed they were near their end. Sooner or later they would fade away and that would be it. Riku wasn't about to let that happen though.
"Hey!" he shouted as he neared them.
Both of the replicas stopped their struggle and turned to see Riku. Wide eyes appeared on the original replica, showing he was clearing surprised to see Riku back here again. The dark replica on the other hand narrowed his eyes, in a hateful or cold way.
"What are you doing here?" the original replica asked him. "You need to stay back!"
The dark replica let out a grunt as he tried to pull away from the originals hold, but he still held on tightly. Riku wasn't sure how much had happened, but he figured that his original was trying to contain and stop the darker one from getting away. Even after the darker one lost the body he had and was cast into the darkness, he didn't seem any different than he was before.
"I came here to help though," Riku replied as he took a step forward. He wasn't sure if he would have to help fight the dark replica of himself, but he was going to be prepared for anything.
"I don't need any help," the original said as he turned to look at his dark self. "We are both going to fade away soon enough."
The darker replica gritted his teeth as the darkness loomed around him. "Shut up already about that! Let go of me already!"
Even though both of the replicas seemed to be holding on, Riku could now see that they were looking exhausted. Slowly they were fading away more and more. It seemed that all of their remaining energy was being used to fight one another.
Riku took a few stepped closer, keeping a serious gaze across his face. He walked up all the way until he stood next to the original replica. "You don't have to do this."
The original sighed slightly. "It's not like I have much of a choice."
"There can always be a choice. There is always something we can do," Riku replied, not ready to give up that easily.
A burst of darkness came from the side knocking Riku back. As soon as Riku hit the ground he looked up to see the dark replica glaring with rage. Slowly Riku stood back up and saw that the original was now at his side.
"I'm not going to fade away! I… don't… I won't let that happen!" the dark replica shouting in desperation.
Riku frowned slightly at the sight. He did actually feel back for the second replica of himself. Even though he knew it wasn't actually himself… it still was his voice. And to hear his own voice shouting about not fading away brought a heavy feeling inside of him. But he also knew that this replica was from a time that he was not proud of. That was a time he never would forget, but he had moved forward from at least.
"Just give it up," the original said, speaking to the darker one. "You know there isn't anything else you can do now."
"No! T-There has to be! I'm not going to fade away! All I need is a body…" the dark replica said as he turned to look at Riku. A cruel smile danced across his face. "And what a convenience that there is one right here!" Immediately without another word he started to fly right at Riku.
Riku gasped as he quickly summoned his keyblade to hold in defense, but he wasn't sure it was going to be enough. There was only a short distance between the two of them and he didn't have enough time to react.
But just as it seemed the dark replica was going to get to his a flash of light shined in from of him, clashing with the darkness from the second replica. Riku squinted for a moment, but he could clearly see that the original replica was now standing in from of him. He was protecting him.
The original yelled as he pushed the dark one back. Light and darkness still pushing against one another from the two of them. But the energy of both sides was slowly losing strength. But the original gave one last yell and a final bright flash sent the dark replica to the ground. The darkness around him faded to practically nothing and his body was hardly visible anymore.
The dark replica tried to push himself up to his feet, but it seemed that he had expelled the last of his energy in that final attack. His hands shook slightly as he closed his eyes for a moment. A mix of emotions flew over his face within a matter of second. A look of sadness was first, but then followed by anger and perhaps a bit of frustration.
Riku apporoched and looked down at him with sorrow. Despite everything that had happened, he still ended up feeling bad for this replica. "I'm sorry…" He thought to say more, but those were the only words he could muster.
The dark replica scoffed. "Sure you are…" He muttered his words quietly under his breath, but Riku could still hear was he was saying. "I… I wish I was the real one…"
All of the darkness finally dissipated from the dark replica and he finally faded away in the next few seconds. Riku could only stand there for the time, staring at the spot where the dark replica had just been. But then a heavy sigh drew his attention elsewhere. He looked over and saw the original replica sitting on the ground, taking in deep and heavy breath. He took looked far more exhausted now than before.
Riku walked over to him and sat down beside him. "Please. Please come back with me. We can do something to help you."
The replica only shook his head though. "No. I don't see the point. Why should I get another body? I have no reason to do so."
"Everyone should get a second chance to live their lives," Riku replied.
The replica chuckled weakly. "I never had much of a life to begin with, remember?"
"Well you can now have that chance to make your life what you want," Riku said. He knew it would be difficult to convince his replica, so he never once let the determination leave him. He had to keep trying.
"What life can I live when I am a replica that looks just like you?" the replica asked as he looked at Riku.
Riku thought for a moment before finding his answer. "Roxas and Ventus look alike you know, but they both live their lives different and as their own."
"It's not the same. They actually are two different people. I am just a replica of you," the replica replied stubbornly with a sigh.
"Look. Roxas, Xion, and Namine all get to have their own bodies, and now they can live their own lives. If they get that chance then you should as too." Riku then thought of another thing to add. Since Xion had been brought back, all of his memories of her had returned. So he decided to add one extra thing. "Xion is also a replica if you didn't know."
"Yeah yeah… but they are still different than me. The thing is with me, no one would care about me being back. Those other three… they all had people who wanted to see them again. No one wants me back," the replica said as he looked away.
"That's not true about you."
The replica didn't bother to look back at Riku. Instead he placed his arms to rest on his knees. "Oh really?" he asked, but there was no real questioning tone in his voice.
"I would want to see you back," Riku started to say. "You know… I was surprised to see you back at first. But when I did and we talked for a bit, I found myself glad. I'm glad to see the resolve you have gone through since the time in Castle Oblivion. Look at that light that surround you. Your heart has grown a lot. And to me, that shows that you are your own person and can live how you want to live."
"Heh… I figured you would say something like that. Such a corny thing to say. Though all that positive encouragement… it might just be working," the replica said as he looked at Riku again.
Riku smiled, finally feeling like he was getting somewhere. He just needed to give the replica a little more incentive. "Besides, I know that Naminé would want to thank the one responsible for giving her a chance to have her own body."
The replica tensed up slightly as he turn his head away. Riku couldn't tell obviously, but he was sure the replica may have been blushing at the thought of her. A moment of silence passed before the replica let out one last sigh and turned to look at Riku.
He sighed once more, though now there was a smile upon his face. He took in a deep breath before speaking up again. "Fine, I'll go with you."
With that Riku let him into his heart to rest for the time being. That way he knew the replica would be safe and he wouldn't fade away anymore. But now there was only one last thing to do and that was to make sure his replica would get a body.
"Do you think it is possible to create another vessel?" Riku asked Even.
As soon as Riku and Mickey left the Realm of Darkness, the first stop of course was Radiant Garden. Even, Ienzo and Ansem the Wise were still in the process of finalizing Naminé's body, but they were close to finishing. Riku had showed up though and explain his story to them all.
"It it extremely possible. After getting the shells to use for Roxas and Naminé, I made sure to keep the data for making replicas stored away safety. Just in case there was ever a future need for something like that. So for your request, yes I can. Especially if it is for the replica that was the very first successfully one."
Riku nodded respectfully. "Thank you."
"It will only take me a couple days to create the shell though, probably about in the time it will take to finish up finalizing everything for Naminé. It won't take nearly as long though to fix up everything though for your replica, as he is a replica and not a Nobody. So all you need to do is return by then and we can get the rest finish then. Ienzo will call when we need you back here."
Riku thanked Even once more before heading out to go back home for the time being. Though there was one more stop he had to make before going home to rest. He stopped by Yen Sid's tower and asked a request if the good fairies could make an outfit for his replica. He knew that his replica couldn't keep on just wearing the dark outfit. Just as he deserved his own body, he also deserved his own clothes.
The couple of days had passed and sure enough Riku got the call from Iezno. The vessel was ready for his replica to use. Though it was already the day of the beach party and almost everyone was there. Naminé was also there as Riku had just brought her along with several others just a few hours before. They were still waiting on Aqua, Terra, and Ventus though, knowing they probably needed a bit more time together before coming to a party.
Riku excused himself from the party that was just starting up and headed off. He made his way back to Radiant Garden in the gummi ship and headed to where Even and the others were. He walked down the hall to the area, carrying a suitcase with the new clothes in them. He hadn't seen them yet, but he figured they were probably in a similar style to how everyone else's had looked.
Once he entered the room where the three scientists were, he saw the empty vessel resting on the examination table. Riku walked over to it and looked down at the blank shell. Soon enough the replica would have his own body.
Riku closed his eyes as he thought to the replica that still was resting within him. He called to him and told him that it was time. A moment later he appeared next to Riku, and stared at the empty shell before him. He didn't move from his spot though. A look of hesitation filled his face as he didn't once look away from the shell.
Riku smiled as he looked up at his replica. "Go on. I told you before that you deserve this."
The replica slowly nodded before going to inhabit the shell. Right after that Even and the others did some short extra things to make sure everything was set and finalized. They tried to explain what they were doing, but all of it was a far higher level science than Riku could understand.
But now the shell no longer was blank, now it had the appearance of a younger Riku. Riku couldn't help but smile again as he saw the replica slowly open his eyes, revealing their matching teal color.
Once the replica could sit up and move around, and felt fully adjusted to his new body he got off the table and walked over to Riku. Riku then handed him the suitcase and he took hold of it.
"Did you really have to go and get me a new outfit?" the replica asked as he looked down at the case.
"Well I assume you didn't want to keep going around wearing that old outfit." Riku asked as he gestured to the dark outfit that the replica still wore. "With a new body and second chance at a life, wouldn't be better to have something new?"
A small chuckle came from the replica. "You have a point there."
The replica then went to change into his new outfit before they would head back. He came back a few minutes later dressed in his new outfit. It had some resemblance to Riku's outfit, but there was several differences.
The white undershirt was not a v-neck like Riku's, but a basic curved collar. While it looked like the jacket was styled the same, the replica's jacket was a dark blue color with red outlines. The sleeves of the replica's jacket also reached down to just above his elbows and a red board went around the edge of the sleeves. His pants were black and reached a little past his knees. There was though the same checked pattern at the bottom of the pants, just like Riku's. His shoes did were not as tall as Riku's were, but seemed to be in a similar style. The last thing the replica had was gloves, they were fingerless black gloves, but with a red trim, and they only reached a little past his wrist.
"Those good fairies really like to design rather odd outfits don't they," the replica commented as he looked over his new outfit. "I don't mind it though. It's rather cool."
"Come on then, let's go," Riku said as he waved for the replica to follow him.
Before leaving they went to thank Even, Ienzo and Ansem the Wise once more. Even of course expressed a joyous moment of seeing his first successful replica still around. He wanted to be able to ask him questions, but Riku stopped him and said it would probably be best for another time.
The two of them then headed off to where Riku had left the gummi ship. As they walked Riku spoke up. "Let's hurry back. Aqua, Terra and Ventus should be at Destiny Islands by now, and then the party can really begin."
The replica didn't reply back, but he kept walking along side Riku. Though as they approached the gummi ship he started to slow down and came to a stop. Riku turned around and saw him staring at the ground.
"Something wrong?" he asked as he walked back over to his replica.
"I just… I just don't know really. I didn't expect this to happen," he said as he looked up at Riku. "What am I supposed to do now? I don't really have anywhere to live or anything. I still don't know what I am going to do with my life."
"You'll just have to listen to your heart and figure that part out," Riku replied as he smiled.
"What a cliche thing to say," the replica said jokingly with a scoff. "But I would expect that from you nowadays."
"Well if you really need somewhere to stay, you could stay with me," Riku said as he paused for a moment to gather the rest of his thoughts. He chuckled. "It will be like having a younger brother."
The replica rolled his eyes, though a smile appeared on his face. "Yeah a younger brother who looks and sounds exactly like you, because he is you in every way."
Riku's smile turned into a smug smirk as he bent down slightly be at eye level with his replica. "Well almost every way. I am older and taller than you now." He then placed a hand on top of the replica's head and ruffled his hair.
The replica huffed in annoyance as he brushed Riku's hand away. "If I had known this is what I was going to have to put up with I wouldn't have agreed to this." It almost sounded like he was serious, but Riku could easily tell that he was only joking around and wasn't truly bothered by it.
A second later the replica continued. "I guess though… it wouldn't be so bad to be brothers then. But how would you explain me to your parents then?"
Riku rubbed the back of his neck, as he had actually forgotten about that part of all of this. He smiled sheepishly. "Heh… I don't know yet, but I know we will find a way."
Soon Riku was piloting the gummi ship back towards Destiny Islands. The replica sat in one of the other seats as he stared out the window at the galaxy around them. It was mostly quiet between them, but then the replica spoke up once again,
"There is something else you forgot."
"And what would that be?" Riku asked, wondering what he would say.
"My name. I can't be called Other Riku or Replica Riku. I wouldn't want that. It would kind of defeat the whole purpose of your speech of me being my own person."
"Well then why don't you pick a name? A new name to start off a new life."
"I don't know though. I would want a new name… but having a completely different name just would feel a bit weird."
"Well how about a name then that is similar to mine, but is not the same?" Riku suggested.
"Do you have any ideas then?" the replica asked.
"Hmm…" Riku hummed as he pondered over the idea. He started to think of names that were similar to his, thinking what his replica would find to be good. Suddenly he had an idea for a name. "How about Ryuu? It isn't my name, but is kind of close to it."
"Ryuu?" the replica questioned. He then closed his eyes as he started to think it over. A moment later a smile came across his face. "I like it."
"Well then Ryuu," Riku said with a small laugh. "I'm glad you figured that out."
"Thank you… Riku," the replica, now known as Ryuu replied.
Riku almost felt a little surprised. He never actually heard his replica call him by his name before. But maybe now that they had different names it was easier. Riku smiled again as he saw that they were approaching Destiny Islands.
"Well we're here. Let's get ready to head down there," Riku said as he set the controls to head on down.
Ryuu followed behind him as they headed to the area to be transported down onto the world. Just as they were ready to head down, it seemed that Ryuu had one more thing he wanted to ask.
"Are you sure they'll all accept me?"
Riku nodded as he placed a hand on Ryuu's shoulder. He gave him a smile before speaking. "Of course they will."
The two of them then exited the gummi ship and arrived down on the world. Everyone was already there on the beach talking with one another when they saw Riku coming along with Ryuu. As soon as they two got close to the group, Riku stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Over a year ago a replica had been made of me. Since then he had come a long way and now has the chance to live his own life. Not as a replica of me anymore, but…" Riku trailed off, hoping for Ryuu to step in to say something.
Ryuu stepped forward and waved slightly at everyone. "I may be technically a replica of Riku, but now that doesn't matter. My name is Ryuu now and I am my own person."
Everyone smiled back at Ryuu before saying hello and greeting him. Soon enough everyone went back to starting up the party and laughs and chatter were heard all around. Riku was about to go join the others when he saw that Ryuu still was standing in place. He looked to where Ryuu was looking and saw he was staring at Naminé. She only stood a few feet away from him, but she stared right back with wide eyes. Slowly the two of them walked closer together until they were only a few inches apart.
Naminé smiled at him. "Ryuu. I like that."
"Y-You do?" Ryuu asked, feeling a slight bit flustered.
Naminé nodded as she reached forward and held one of his hand. "Riku told me about what you did. How you sacrificed yourself to make sure I could get a body."
"Yeah… I wanted you to be able to live a happy life."
"Thank you," Naminé replied as she continued to smile.
Ryuu smiled back as he reached out to hold Naminé's other hand. "You're welcome Naminé."
Naminé leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Ryuu, giving him a gently hug. Ryuu felt a strong feeling a happiness as he turned a hug back. He hadn't felt this happy… well since ever.
Riku watched the two with a big smile. He was happy that Ryuu got to see Naminé again and everything looked to be fine. Riku almost had the thought of teasing Ryuu a little, considering the fact they agreed to be brother, but he was pulled away from those thoughts as Roxas and Terra asked to race him. He turned and left to join then, leaving Ryuu to spend time with Naminé, and do whatever he would choose to do.
Ryuu spent the rest of the party hanging around with everyone actually. He did spend a lot of time talking with Naminé, but he also started talking with others as well. He even joined in the frisbee game with Ventus, Isa, and Lea. He laughed and enjoyed every moment of everything.
Every moment he spent doing something he wanted, the happier he felt. This was a feeling he never really experienced before. Doing what he wanted and feeling enjoyment from it. This was the first time he had truly felt happy. It was his choice what he did and everyone accepted him. None of them saw him as a replica of Riku, they only saw him as Ryuu. Even though he still looked and sounded just like Riku, his heart was his own and he had found a way to belong. He finally truly felt real. And that made his day even better.
I still can't I wrote over 5000 words for this lol. But now though original just a one shot, I got more!
Thank you all for reading!