(A/N: What? I wrote something about Riku and I'm not killing him, injuring him fatally, or bashing him against a wall? Really?

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Anywho, here are warnings: BBS SPOILERS! I DIRECTLY QUOTED IT! TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE GAME FOR YOURSELF! Okay, now that that's over... Enjoy!)

Hero of Darkness

I know it's out there somewhere. The strength that I need.

Strength for what?

To protect the things that matter. You know, like my friends.

Riku sighed at the memory. He had never seen the man again, the man who had given him the ability to wield the Keyblade. He wished he had. Maybe the man could answer his multiple questions; about the Darkness, the Light, the Keyholes, Kingdom Hearts, … why Sora could also wield the Keyblade... Had the man given him the ability too? Then why had he needed to keep it a secret? No, he must've gotten it somewhere else, in some other way.

Huh? Sora? What's wrong?

Huh?

You're...

Uh, that's weird. It's like, something's squeezing me inside.

Somebody up there must be sad.

Up where?

They say, that every world is connected by one great sky. So maybe, there's somebody up there in all those worlds, who's really hurting. And, they're waiting for you to help them.

Well, gee, do you think there's something I could do?

Hmm... Maybe they just need you to open your heart and listen.

Mmm... I don't know, Riku. You say some weird stuff sometimes,... but I'll try it!

Okay.

Mmm...

Well?

You know, I think it worked!

Was that it? Had a former Keyblade Master come in contact with Sora's heart, resulting in his ability to wield it? Lucky dog. It was a good thing he did … well, it was a good thing in general that Sora could wield the Keyblade. His own weakness to the Darkness had taken away his chance at being the Hero of Light. But he could still wield a Keyblade. What did that make him, then? Perhaps... he was a Hero of Darkness? He smiled. Maybe so. Of course, he would have to pay the price: his appearance. He glanced at his form, the form of Ansem, of … Xehanort's Heartless, the being he had always struggled with. Yes, it could be worth it. Though he would lose his friends as well... How could he face them like this? He had given in to the Darkness! And yet... they had searched for him. Tried to rescue him and help him. He had only pushed them away. What kind of friend was he?

Then he realized: the price would not only be his appearance, it would be his life. Everything would be gone. He would have to start a new life. Was it really worth it?

Sora was soon to awaken. What would he do then? Turn back to the Darkness? Join his friends? Or wander? Sora always knew what to do, what he wanted done, how to get it done. Then he would do it. No questions. Could he, Riku, possibly follow his best friend's example?

He looked at the sleeping figure in the pod. "What do I do, Sora? Would you take me back?"

As Sora slept, Riku could swear he saw Sora's head nodding. Though it could just be him bobbing as he floated in the pod.

'Along our journey, there are many paths. We won't take the same roads. I have chosen Light, and you have chosen Darkness. But I will stay your friend. We will meet again as brothers, to unite against the threats to our worlds. Our hearts are connected; wherever you go, I'm always with you. Never forget.'