Dyingoffeels: I wouldn't kill Shaylex off this early. No, her death has been planned. Not saying when but when it hits, it's gonna hit hard. Sora will definitely try to convince Shaylex to come back to the light. That's typical Sora and Riku... well, we'll just have to see.
Shairo: Trust me, the fun's just begun.
A/N: Welcome back to another chapter. As you can probably tell by the title, Shaylex meets Repliku and we shall see what happens. I hope everyone is enjoying ReMind. I know I did.
Shaylex appeared back in the room where Axel, Larxene, and Namine were waiting. Larxene had the biggest grin on her face. "What a way to break a guy's heart Shaylex. You really had me going for a second there." She said so sarcastically. Shaylex just scoffed.
"Marluxia wants his puppet, right? You've just sat on the sidelines and let Namine do all the dirty work. If you want to break his heart. You need to do it quickly and effectively. Besides, I'm done here for now. Good luck. Oh, and Namine. Remember that Sora needs to remember me. It won't make this little mission easy. Especially now that he knows of what I've truly become. He'll want to try to save me." Shaylex explained to Namine. She just nodded and clutched her sketch pad. Shaylex sighed and teleported back down to the basement where Zexion and Lexaeus were standing around. They both looked up to see Shaylex return.
"How did it go up top?" Zexion asked her.
"Quite well, Sora knows the truth," Shaylex explained as she sat on a chair.
"About you losing your heart?" Lexaeus asked her. Shaylex nodded
"Yeah. I told him everything. Now we just wait to see what he does with this information. How have things been down here?" Shaylex asked the two of them, realizing that Vexen was not to be seen.
"Riku is slowly making his way through the levels of the Castle. I think your little chat has spurred him on to find you and talk to you. But what else is happening with Sora?" Lexaeus asked curiously.
"Namine's powers are being used to shuffle his memories as we speak. Marluxia may well succeed in getting his puppet." Zexion began to explain. "Sora would be a valuable asset to the Organization... but Marluxia and Larxene's actions, they... leave me quite uneasy." He added on. It sounded as though Marluxia and Larxene had another plan in mind for Sora. But what?
"And then there is Axel. Who knows what that one is thinking..." Lexaeus added. Shaylex shook her head.
"Axel would never betray the organization. If he knew something, he would've told me by now." She said, standing up to defend him.
"And you trust him?" Lexaeus growled.
"Even more than you!" Shaylex retorted back. The two of them locked eyes for a couple of seconds before Zexion's voice cut through the tension.
"Look, regardless of their actions or not, we can't ignore this. Besides, Vexen should take care of this. His replica is soon to be completed." He explained. Shaylex looked at him confused.
"Replica?" She asked him.
"Oh, right, you weren't here. Vexen has been working on a research project. The replica program. It is the process of transferring a person's heart into an empty vessel. Sort of like a fake copy of the original person. For example, the data Vexen gathered from his fight with Riku is being transferred into an empty vessel to copy Riku exactly." Zexion explained to Hsyalex. She placed a hand under her chin and thought.
"Interesting. So, we use Vexen and the replica to bring out the darkness in Riku and figure out Marluxia and Larxene's plans?" Shaylex asked. Zexion nodded at Shaylex positively. It meant she understood their plan. Which was good.
"But Vexen despises Marluxia. Think of the mess it would make." Lexaeus said, sounding unsure of this plan.
"So we must tell him. Isn't it better that Vexen clean up the mess than leave it to us?" Zexion added. The less work for them regarding Marluxia and Larxene, the better.
"That would make things easier on us," Shaylex responded. The three of them agreed that Vexen's and his Riku replica would take care of Marluxia and Larxene. But Shaylex felt troubled. Was Axel involved in all of this? If so, why keep it from her? To protect her? She didn't need any protection anyway. She though back to Tenebrae and wondered how he was doing back out in the outside worlds. Shaylex knew that maybe somehow that they were both connected. Her past held the key to that connection. He was also from the same time as Keval and Cetus. And then there were those two and the other people that she saw in those memories. Who were they? She had to find the answers but how could she find out? She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind her.
"Lost in thought, Shaylex?" Vexen's voice spoke directly behind her. Shaylex almost jumped out of her skin. She stood up and turned around to face Vexen, crossing her arms as she did.
"Just thinking. Is the replica complete?" She asked. Vexen nodded and motioned to the new person walking into the room. Shaylex's eyes widened. It was Riku, no, something that looked like Riku. A complete copy. She walked over to the replica and held a hand out.
"It's remarkable." Shaylex softly said as she stared into the aquamarine eyes of his and touched his cheek. Riku replica smiled at her touch.
"Shaylex. We're gonna put him against the real Riku. Test the waters. Care to join him?" Vexen asked Shaylex. Shaylex smiled and nodded.
"This is going to be fun. Come on Riku. Let's see who's the true conqueror of the darkness." Shaylex said as she held out her hand. Riku replica nodded and placed his hand in hers. Shaylex felt her chest tighten. She missed the time she spent with Riku. The fun they had had. She crushed hard on him. But she knew he never reciprocated those feelings. But even then, at that moment, she swore his eyes turned from aquamarine to hazel and the familiar figure of Keval stood there. Shaylex shook her head to be staring back at the Riku replica and teleported the two of them to the next floor. Where they waited for Riku to finish his little card world and meet his new copy. Shaylex stepped back and thought about what she just saw. Was that the reason Riku never made a move? Because he could tell that her heart might have belonged to another? She was shaken out of her thoughts as the door opened and Riku stepped through. He saw the replica and walked over to it, not noticing Shaylex at first.
"Huh? Who are you supposed to be?" He asked carefully.
"Surprised? I guess you should be. After all, I look just like you. I'll tell you what I am. I'm an exact replica of you that Vexen made from your data." The replica said. He sounded like Riku but there was a deeper and sinister tone to his voice.
"So you're a fake me?" Riku asked. This annoyed the replica Riku.
"Not a fake! I don't care if you're real! You're not better! We share the same body and the same talents. But there is one easy way to tell us apart, though." The Riku replica explained as he pointed to the real Riku. "Unlike you, I fear nothing." He announced. The real Riku was taken aback by that comment.
"Are you calling me a coward?" Riku asked. Shaylex chuckled and stepped forward.
"One who runs away from the darkness and their destiny is, of course, a coward." She explained as she stood next to the replica. Riku's eyes glanced over Shaylex. He was registering her coat. Now that she had finally revealed the truth to him.
"Ashley..." He stuttered out. Shaylex tolled her eyes.
"Shaylex, Riku." She corrected him. Riku's face softened from anger to sadness.
"So you are with them? The coat that they wear. You're wearing one too!" He asked. Finally confirming the truth he didn't want to believe the minute Maleficent told him that she didn't have a heart. Shaylex smiled.
"Yes. Although it's not really my color, do you think I could ask my boss if they have it in yellow?" She said sarcastically as she did a twirl, showing off the coat.
"Enough games," Riku shouted. Shaylex looked at the replica.
"Yeah, you're right. Yellow would look hideous." She added, chuckling lightly. She was only just messing with Riku.
"Ash, why are you doing this? I demand an explanation!" Riku demanded. Shaylex finally stopped her sarcastic performance and turned to him with a serious expression on her face.
"Maybe I'll give one to you when you stop running from the darkness," Shaylex said calmly. Riku clenched his fist and grunted.
"Never." He declared throwing his arm out. Shaylex scoffed.
"Fine. Have it your way." Shaylex said as she turned to the Riku replica and placed a hand on his face. "Remarkable right, a complete copy of you. Everything's the same, memories, attributes, looks. Well, except for one thing." Shaylex explained as she turned away from the real Riku.
"You're afraid of the dark. The darkness inside you still frightens you, no matter what you say!" The replica Riku said. This made the real Riku angry. The replica's outfit changed all of a sudden into Riku's dark mode outfit. Shaylex smiled. "But I'm different! I embrace the darkness. I can make it do whatever I want." The replica announced as he summoned Soul Eater. "So... I can wipe the floor with you!" He finished.
"Don't break him too much," Shaylex whispered as she stepped out of the way. Riku shouted and made a dash to Shaylex which was blocked by the replica and the two of them began to fight. Shaylex stood as she watched the two Riku's go backward and forwards. Attacking a defending. She wasn't surprised when the replica used the same attack strategy that Riku had because he was a copy of Riku. But she still stood fascinated at the two of them. Eventually, the real Riku struck the replica down. Shaylex clapped her hands slowly as the replica knelt on the floor panting. Riku took this opportunity to gloat.
"Hey, fake. I thought I heard you say you were gonna wipe the floor with me." He proudly stated. The replica just scoffed.
"Hmph. Don't forget, I'm still new. I'll get stronger and stronger. The next time we fight, you're finished." The replica bit back. This really angered Riku because he dropped into a stance ready to attack.
"Then let's fight now!" Riku shouted as he jumped to strike at the replica's head, but a burst of powerful darkness emitted from the replica, throwing Riku backward. The replica just began to laugh maniacally.
"It's nice, having darkness on my side. You are SO missing out. How could you be scared of something so thrilling?" The replica taunted happily. Shaylex had to smile at this. Riku could get so cocky and upset whenever he lost a match. Whether it was against Sora or any of the others on the islands.
"Enough!" Riku shouted as he knelt on the floor, trying to get up.
"Hmph. So the coward is playing tough. So long, real thing. Hope you don't miss me." The replica said as it ran up the stairs toward the next floor. Riku growled as he got up and ran after him. Shaylex stepped in front of him. Riku skidded to a halt as he came face to face to her.
"Move out of the way Ashley!" He shouted. Shaylex just scoffed.
"Why? Because you didn't like the way the replica spoke to you? Well, he's right. You are afraid of the darkness." She explained as she summoned her aura of darkness around her, causing Riku to step back a little. "What's there to be afraid of? The darkness is beautiful Riku. I could have helped you control it. I could have helped you to get rid of Ansem once and for all. To not be afraid of him or the darkness. But you decided to see me and the darkness as nothing but evil." Shaylex explained as she let the aura die down so that only little wisps were emitting from her.
"That's not true," Riku said.
"Isn't it?" Shaylex asked. Riku hesitated. "You're technically the reason why I'm in this situation Riku. Or have you already forgotten what happened to us after the islands were destroyed?" She asked him. Riku stared into her violet eyes and his eyes softened as the penny dropped and he turned his head away.
"I didn't mean to leave you behind. I was going to come back and find you. I wanted to, but Maleficent..." He began to explain. Shaylex just scoffed and cut him
"Maleficent... of course she would be involved. Is that your excuse for everything? Her and Ansem? It still wouldn't have made a difference. I lost my heart minutes after being separated from you. Because I was weak. Because I didn't have the darkness. But now I do. And I'm much more stronger than you could ever imagine." She explained as she let the darkness disappear from her body.
"It'll consume you, Ashley. This isn't you!" Riku tried to say but Shaylex wasn't listening. She knew he didn't actually care. He never did. He just led her on. Making her think that he cared when he didn't. He even left her in the darkness. Alone, helpless as she watched her heart get taken by the heartless. All of that anger started to boil inside her.
"You think you know me Riku? You don't! My life is shrouded in darkness. Even my past is non-existent, hazy. Ever since I lost my heart, no one. Not you or Sora, or anyone else that's not part of the organization has looked at me as if I'm not worth it. As if I matter. As if you don't actually care about me! And it's because I'm missing the most important part of me, that I'm not worth anyone's love or care. After all, I don't have a heart." Shaylex exploded, causing Riku to grab hold of her hands.
"That's absurd, Ashley. If I hadn't let go, we both would've fallen to darkness. If I had to choose between you and me. I would've chosen you. I didn't want to let go. You know that! You must realize. I wanted to keep my promise to you. I do care about you Ashley. Heart or not. Please. This is the darkness that's talking. It did the same thing to me. I wish I hadn't listened to it now. Please, Ashley. I don't want to lose you!" Riku said softly as he placed a hand on her cheek and stared softly into her violet eyes. Shaylex stared back. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to hold him. To care for him like he supposedly cared for her. But Xemnas's words kept coming back to her. She grabbed Riku's hand and pushed it away from her face.
"Then why did you? Why did you let go, Riku?" Shaylex asked. Riku hesitated again and sighed. It was as if he knew the answer but didn't want to say it because it was the truth. Shaylex scoffed. "You said on the islands that you were not afraid of the darkness but I can see now that even back then, you were so scared. So weak that you chose yourself over your friends. You really are a coward, Riku. Even if you won't admit it. We both know the truth. I'll see you around." Shaylex said as she let the darkness surround her and she teleported back into the room where Zexion, Lexaeus, and Vexen were waiting.
"That certainly stung." Vexen quipped. Shaylex huffed and went to sit back down on the chair.
"Maybe you should get some rest. We'll take things from here. You've done enough with Sora and Riku now." Lexaeus suggested. Shaylex sighed. She was beginning to feel tired. Maybe all of this fighting with Sora and Riku was beginning to take its toll on her. She was about to leave when the replica entered the room. She decided to stay for the conversation.
"So, how was the real thing?" Vexen asked.
"He's spineless. In no time at all, I'll be better than him." The replica stated in a gloating tone.
"In the meantime, would you be interested in meeting another who's considered a hero?" Vexen asked. Zexion and Lexaeus must have spoken to Vexen about using him and the replica to deal with Marluxia.
"You mean Sora." The replica responded. This guy was even smarter than Shaylex realized. "I hear he's somewhere in the castle. You want me to take care of him?" He asked. Vexen placed a hand on his chin.
"We'll see... Yes... I intend to make good use of you." Vexen said as he smiled at the replica. The replica smiled back.
"No worries. The real Riku was nothing. Sora won't be, either. They're no match for me." The replica declared.
"Just don't get too cocky. That's how Sora defeated Riku the first time." Shaylex explained as she stood up to leave the room.
"Aww. Are you that worried about me? Trust me I'll be fine." The replica stated as Shaylex left the room to go lie down.
A/N: And here we shall leave it. The darkness really doesn't want Shaylex believing her friends. But as I said, the fun is just beginning. There's going to be so much that's going to happen in the lead up to the finale of Re:Chain. Will Shaylex make it out of there alive? Find out in the next chapter. I hope you all have a super fantastic day, morning, afternoon, evening., night, wherever you are in the world and stay awesome guys!