Riku ran through Traverse town as quickly as he could, avoiding any past images of Kairi that would've lingered within this world. He was reckless with his attacks, slashing through the pain as the heavy armored heartless attacked him over and over again until it was finally destroyed. For a moment, he watched as the remains eventually disappeared into the night sky; even if it was fake.
Walking through the white halls of the castle again proved to be a repetitive task, even so, he was taken off guard as he saw someone standing before him. Riku looked up towards what appeared to be, himself. "Huh?! What are you supposed to be?" He demanded as his double simply smirked.
"Surprised? I guess you should be. After all, I look just like you, an exact replica of you that Vexen made from your data."
Riku eyed him for a moment, unsettled at his reflections appearence, "All I'm hearing is that you're a cheap knock off; a fake me."
The replica glared at him, "I'm no "fake"!" He argued, "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!" He smirked summoning a weapon of darkness. "Unlike you, I fear nothing."
A scowl was drawn on Riku's face, "Are you calling me a coward?"
The Replica smirked, "Isn't that obvious? The darkness inside you still frightens you. No matter what you say, no matter what do you, it's the darkness that drives you; no matter how much you try and deny it."
Riku glared at his reflection, summoning his weapon in hand as the aura around him grew stronger, as did his stench of darkness.
"But I'M different. I embrace the darkness. I can make it do whatever I want." The replica bragged as he was consumed by darkness, revealing the dark armor that he donned when he was possessed by Ansem, as well as a sadistic smile on his face. "I can even use it to wipe the floor with you!"
...
...
Riku's weapon disappeared as he walked over to his defeated replica, "Hey, Fake. I thought I heard you say you were gonna wipe the floor with me."
"Hmph. Don't forget, I'm still new. I'll get stronger and stronger. The next time we fight, you're finished!" The replica yelled out angrily.
Riku scoffed at his reflection's childish nature, "Then let's fight now." He encouraged as the replica laughed his attempts off bitterly.
He hung his head, raising his arm behind him to summon a dark portal. "It's nice having darkness on my side. You are SO missing out. How could you be scared of something that can be so thrilling? Or, is it just because you feel guilty about the trash you threw away the day you-"
"Enough!" Riku suddenly snarled as the Replica smiled.
"Hmph." He smirked, "So now the coward is playing guilty conscious now? Little late for that don't you think?" He remarked as he stepped back into the void."After all, who knows what'll happen once he sees you again. After all, I hear the upper-level crowds are doing a number on him."
"He?" Riku questioned as he narrowed down who his reflection was talking about. "Do you mean Sora!? Is he here in the castle too?!"
The replica smirked in amusement, as Riku's facade broke. "So long, Real Thing. Hope you don't miss me."
"Hey wait-" Riku called out as the void disappeared along with his reflection. Riku gripped his fist tightly, gritting his teeth together as he wished to wipe that smirk off of his own face.
From within the dark portal stepped out the Replica of Riku. He was beaten up from his previous battle but walked towards his creator with his head held high.
"So, how was the real thing?" Vexen asked as the Replica came closer.
Riku Replica scoffed, placing a hand on his waist. "He's spineless. In no time at all, I'll be better than him."
Vexen side glanced his creation, holding his tongue for the moment. "In the meantime, would you be interested in finally meeting another who's considered a hero?"
The replica narrowed his eyes in surprise, crossing his arms, "You mean Sora, wasn't he under Marluxia's watch?"
"Indeed, however, it appears that the boy has hidden talents. In a short amount of time, he's risen to the occasion. Surpassing though every expectation, perhaps he could give you a run for your money." Vexen remarking, knowingly seeing how annoyed the Replica was getting.
"You want me to take care of him?" He asked as Vexen walked past him.
"We'll see..." Vexen remarked, lowering his tone as a sinister smile was drawn on his face.
"No worries. The real Riku was nothing. Sora won't be, either. They're no match for me." He bragged as another dark void was opened, the replica ran through it without a second thought, leaving behind the scientist in the room alone.
Vexen pulled up data on his monitor, previous and current reports of the boy Sora, and number 13, sent in by the Dusks.
"Yes... I intend to make good use of you both."
Riku ran towards the next floor, yelling out, "Come out! Show yourself, Fake!"
[Fake? Oh, no... That's not exactly the right word.]
Riku gasped suddenly as the familiar voice rang in his head, looking around he saw Ansem appear before him; arms crossed always with a scowl on his face.
"What are you saying? Isn't he just a copy of me?" He asked.
"More like a model. He is an example of what you should try to be. He accepts the darkness...just like you once couldn't help but accept me. But now you are afraid. Perhaps YOU are the one who is being fake. Fake when you pretend to have no fear."
"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?" Riku asked as Ansem kept his straight face. "I don't fear the darkness. You're the one who taught me to use it to my advantage after all."
Ansem raised his arm, summoning illusions of the castle's cards. "Inside of the card-worlds...you grappled desperately with the darkness. Desperation is fear. You fight the darkness because it is what frightens you."
"I... Be quiet!" Riku gripped his fist tightly, summoning his weapon and about to attack the man before him. But Ansem caught his arm, throwing him across the room against the wall painfully.
"Stubborn boy." He remarked, throwing another card at Riku's feet. "Should you decide to choose to cast a blind eye to the power the darkness holds, then continue your futile fight if you must. Eventually, you will learn. You cannot resist the darkness."
Ansem's voiced faded as Riku was left alone once more.
He picked up the card lain on the floor, recognizing the world whose picture was on it. But for now, all he could gather his thoughts and step forward through the castle. Hope, even a false promise of it would be enough to push him through what appeared to be endless halls.
"Sora, if you are in this castle, I swear, we're getting out together." He swore to himself, standing before the door to the next floor. It opened to a bright light, just as the others had, but this light felt warmer.
No matter what anyone says, even myself; it'll never be the darkness that drives me forward.