Title: Reflections: Riku ( 1 / 8 )
Author name: Ari Powwel
Author email: eight_muses@hotmail.com
Spoilers: Hollow Bastion, after the first fight against Riku, and the very end, Riku's final fate
Summary: Even as I walked, I felt the power inside of me growing, thriving on . . . what? The shadow can only be with the light to sustain it, the voice told me. It feeds on your soul, your very being! it said this with far too much glee, terrifying me, breaking the hold the darkness had on my thoughts. Riku reflects on what happened outside of his prison, wondering . . .
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by various publishers including but not limited to Disney Interactive and Square Co., Ltd. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
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Black. Wonderful colour, black.

Sarcasm. That was just great . . . Riku sighed from his position on the ground, feeling himself slipping into the memories of the past. He knew the shadows watched him from nearby, but they couldn't attack him, right? The shadow can only be with the light to sustain it, he repeated, then winced. Ansem again. Would he ever be truly free? Doubtful.

Riku sighed, lying back. He saw King Mickey's Keyblade flash off somewhere in the dark, allowing him to momentarily see the assembled Heartless. He shivered; he doubted he'd ever feel safe in here.

But . . . he could control the Heartless. Or at least, he should be able to . . . Riku wasn't sure anymore. But he wouldn't worry about that now, not until he needed to. He sighed; would he ever get out of Kingdom Hearts?

And more importantly, did he deserve to?

*        *        *

I passed through the halls of Hollow Bastion slowly, breathing hard. Why? I slammed my fist into the wall, body shaking. Why could he take it back? I was obviously the stronger one . . . I always had been. It didn't make sense. 'Why?' I asked the silence. 'It was mine . . .'

'Know this,' a voice began. I nearly jumped out of my skin, immediately chiding myself for it. This was headquarters, of course there'd be some people wandering around. And it was my responsibility to keep them out. No matter what. I looked around, trying to see who – or what – was saying this. A hooded figure appeared in front of me, glowing eerily. 'The heart that is strong and true shall win the Keyblade.'

'What? You're saying my heart's weaker than his?' Rage raced through my limbs; I felt myself tense. No-one would say that to me. I didn't care who he was.

'For that instant, it was. However, you can become stronger. You showed no fear in stepping through the door to darkness. It held no terror for you. Plunge deeper into the darkness, and your heart will grow even stronger.'

I considered this for a moment. A part of me was screaming not to; another part of me quickly silenced it. 'What should I do?'

'It's really quite simple. Open yourself to the darkness. That is all. Let your heart, your being, become darkness itself.'

I bowed my head, breathing deeply. 'How do I do that?' it was barely a question.

'I can show you.' My hunger for power was awful, I needed the rush it would give me, I needed to know again that once and for all, I was better than Sora. My next words sealed my fate:

'Do it.'

I straightened up, feeling the power surge through my veins. This was it . . . the power . . . a maniacal grin crossed my face, almost on its own. I stalked through the castle, my strides lengthening. I could do it, now. I could save Kairi. I could – sense the Princesses of Heart. I stopped, concentrating. Six hearts were very close . . . I looked around, and felt something materialise in my hand. To help you in your quest . . . the man's voice whispered through my head. All at once, I realised my blade held the Hearts. I closed my eyes, feeling its power, also learning that it could release the seventh Princess's heart.

But where is the heart? I asked.

You'll know, the man chuckled. You'll know. Now, go join Maleficent. Your blade is needed.

Of course, said I, resuming my pace, redirecting myself to the Great Hall.

I felt a tendril of darkness snake itself around my heart, but it didn't worry me. After all, the man had said that it would happen. And that man was my friend . . . he wouldn't lead me wrong. It was Sora who was in the wrong, gallivanting off to other worlds, replacing Kairi and myself with those two imbeciles. He didn't even care about Kairi's heart, a voice told me, and I found myself agreeing, hatred for Sora growing.

Even as I walked, I felt the power inside of me growing, thriving on . . . what? The shadow can only be with the light to sustain it, the voice told me. It feeds on your soul, your very being! it said this with far too much glee, terrifying me, breaking the hold the darkness had on my thoughts.

'No!' I hissed, stopping dead. 'I won't let that happen to me!'

But don't you see, my dear boy, the voice laughed sardonically, you already have.

I was filled with horror as I felt something fighting for control. I dropped the blade and stumbled to the wall, leaning on it for support. 'Someone help me,' I murmured, fighting with every inch of my being. My breathing became ragged, my hand clutched at my heart, I fell to my knees. My heart was being squeezed by the darkness; I was losing. 'No!' I hissed again, fighting harder. My vision was blurring with the struggle, and the voice crowed triumphantly.

I have your hands . . . he grinned, swinging them up in front of me.

'NO!' I shouted, somehow forcing them back down. 'I won't let you do this!' I screamed, giving up on a silent battle. In response, he pushed harder, making the hall spin.

My energy was being spent quickly; I knew – he knew – that I couldn't do it. I couldn't beat him. Silent tears ran down my face; I cried out with the strain, pitching forward. The floor raced up to meet me, startling me, breaking what little grip I had on myself. I shoved myself upright, but the damage had been done. I'm sorry, Sora . . . I'm sorry, Kairi . . .

How sweet, the voice snapped at me, just before I completely lost it, blackness swallowing me.

Riku's body dropped in the middle of the second floor corridor.