Dreams Darkness and Grappling Hooks
Darkness's, there was nothing but darkness all around him.
Riku found himself surrounded in an empty void of nothing. Cold and empty, with a horrid stench that made it difficult to breath. Not a single aspect of light to be found. The last time he found himself in a place like this at least the grey dullness felt empty. This though, this place had a stench so foul. It was darkness all too familiar to him. He struggled to get away, yet couldn't see anyway or anywhere he could go.
"Hello!" Riku called out to the darkness, his voice echoing all around him, yet there was nothing. Just the reverberating sound of himself.
The darkness soon became elongated, as a hallway morphed, one made of cobblestone and green flame. A sickly feeling all around it, yet an all to familiar area as well. Riku took a moment before realizing just why he had this sickly familiar feeling in his gut. Then it hit him. This was the castle back at Hollow Bastion, Maleficent's castle.
Anger filled him as he gazed at his surroundings, memories slowly flooding back into him.
He recognized the place instantly, from it's massive cobbled stone walls, many of them had designs of thorny vines with roses covered on them. Large gothic structures and gargoyles on the tarrises. Imposing giving any who gazed on them a sense of fear and despair. Green lighting gave this place a very unearthly feeling, unnatural, unfeeling, covered in a perverted magic that needed to be stemmed out.
Memories began to return him, and not good ones either.
Riku slowly walked down the gothic halls expecting to run into familiar faces, wondering how much of this was his own mind playing tricks on him, and how much of this was all real. This place still was as haunting as he remembered, with it's gargoyle statues standing on pedestals looking down at him with their demon eyes. The lighting was sickly green making it feel unnatural and unpleasant to be around. It also smelled of dying flesh, the smell of darkness .Opening the only door in the hall, he entered into a small room recognizing it instantly.
"This-this is the room Maleficent gave me" He slowly entered the dark room remembering the times he sulked here, the only good thing was that of the servants who helped him, but only for a time. He saw the tiny cubicle that he once slept in. From the nice looking bed at the corner, a desk for him to look at whatever books Maleficent allowed him to read. It wasn't fancy but it was comfortable. Though it was also very lonely as well.
A voice spoke in his mind "Yes, this is Hollow Bastion indeed. Think of all the memories from those days you spent here,
"Sorry I rather not" Riku said looking down in shame.
He hated this place, the only good thing were the servants. Lumiere, , Cogsworth...Chip. Even then he never paid them much heed, only listened to them bicker when he needed noise to break the silence. Otherwise they were just that servants, he never even considered them friends. A fact that in hindsight Riku thought of which much shame.
If only he had tried to be more open with them. They seemed to be the only outside of Sora and Kairi who cared about him. But no, instead he preferred to wallow in his own isolation and loneliness.
"You opened the door to go to other worlds and tempted by the voice of darkness you came here" The voice continued to say tauntingly
Each word was like a dagger to the heart, for each word was true. Riku had done all of it, and he knew it. There was no denying himself, nor was there anyway he could make an excuse not that he wanted too. Just being remembered of it all though was still hard. Leaving the Island in hopes of getting away from his imprisoned life, and in a search to gain control over his life, though by any means necessary.
"You throw away your home...your family ...friends, everything. And just chased after the strength of darkness". The voice continued to speak, taunting him, mocking him.
Riku clenched his fist, remembering all of this just made him more mad "So what! I'm a different guy now! Why bring me here anyway, what do you want me to do, stroll down memory lane". He continued to press forward through the dark halls, the castle seemed even creepier than he remembered it.
He sounded mad, but deep down, he was more upset at himself. How could he be so easily taken in by the witch's empty promises.
"This place was will show you what is in your heart, you should meet the people you want to meet with all your heart"
Heartless swarmed all around him now, there wasn't any light to be seen.
"These aren't people I consider wanting to meet"
Riku just ran, seeing nothing but ghosts, demons and Heartless, mostly heartless as he ran down the great halls of Hollow Bastion's castle. He summoned his sword and managed to knock the ones that were trying to attack him. However the swarm grew as he closed his eyes, finally stopping once he ran out of energy. He opened his eyes again to find himself now in the great hall of the Castle, no more Heartless or other monsters couldn't be seen.
"A-Again, where are the people I want" Riku hissed, clenching his knees, panting for energy
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you," Riku turned around a green flame emerged and began to form into an all too familiar face, "But I'm afraid all your heart desires to see is darkness"
"Maleficent"
The evil witch, the one who he first met when he first left the Island. She opened her home to him and filled his mind with poison. Worst part was he believed it. Believed that he was better than his friends, believed that he could grow in strength because of the darkness, and believe that he could have the power over the Keyblade.
Just the sight of her made him upset. Not just for sheer hatred towards her, but towards himself. How could ever ally himself with someone so heinous. The attraction of such power once alluring was now nothing more than a sickness that he wished to be rid of once and for all.
However no matter how much he wanted to blame her for all the bad choices he made, at the end of the day, it was his choice and his alone that caused him to be where he was right now. Sora had offered him his hand and he didn't take it, instead of continuing to pursue the power of darkness and reject the light.
In the end it wasn't Maleficent fault or Xehanort, it was him, he made those decisions and he had to own up to them.
"You look so angry" Maleficent smirked, getting under his skin "I remember a time when my presence gave you comfort, for I was able to provide the power you so desired in life"
"Well I was wrong!" Riku shrieked
"To little to late if you ask me" Maleficent snickered getting closer to him now, "You made your choices in life, now you must suffer the consequences for it"
Riku sneered, yet the brave face didn't last.
The flames consumed her as she transformed into a fiery breathing dragon, the stuff of pure nightmares as memories of Riku's past came flashing through his round. Such raw power was something he didn't expect. He could smell and feel the overwhelming darkness that now surrounded him.
"You're just a resident of the darkness. Remember, what the darkness gave you".
"I...I wanted strength," Riku said, with no conviction but shame.
Even as a dragon Maleficent smiled, "Yes, there is nothing better than the power of darkness. Power over the Heartless, power over the unnatural, and you will drown in it"
Raising her head, The dragon dark fire as it consumed Riku
"NO!"
Fire, and then...Nothing.
-000-
Slowly Riku opened his eyes, his head was pounding and there was a small ringing in his ears. The dream felt so real, everything about it, even the flames felt hot and drenched his skin. Yet now all of that vanished. Still, the images still flashed in his mind. Maleficent's voice still echoed in his ear and not to mention the mysterious voice. Just thinking about it made him shiver. It was still hard to believe he gave in so easily to her when they had first met her.
"He's waking up," Riku heard a voice say, it was a bit faded echoing in his head "Boy Mable you really did a number on him"
"I'm sorry, I just remember what he did when he was with us on Monstro and Sora being all upset and I got upset and I panicked"
"Mable you hit him in the-"
"What happened?" Riku muttered, ending the conversation, his vision started coming back.
As his vision returned Riku found himself in a dark area, it felt cramped. In fact he couldn't move, when he tried he felt something harsh rubbing up against him. His body felt stiff and tied, unable to move, thankfully he could breath. Looking down he saw that he was tied to a wooden chair of all things. Suddenly a light blinded him causing his eyes to squint as he saw two shadows over him.
A girl's voice spoke, in a very thick hard to describe accent. "Alright bub, we got ya tied up see….We want to know why you're here see...we want answers...see!"
"Mable why are you saying see after every sentence?" Dipper said in a deadpan expression
"Come on Dipper, that's how all gangster talk, wanna sound intimidating. They say see after every sentence...see."
"Dipper? Mable?" Riku said trying to get a good look, he began to see the two twins arguing in front of them now "Is that you?"
The light turned on and now he saw Dipper and Mable were standing next to him in the middle of a closet.
"Well great the illusion is broken" Mable sighed, tossing the flashlight away looking annoyed, "So much for being intimidating!"
"Um, why am I tied up"
"Will be asking the questions!" Mable said with a huff, "Why are you even here"
Dipper nodded, "Yeah Riku, last time we saw you, we didn't leave on the best terms"
Riku nodded, "I know, but ...A lot has changed-"
"Like what-" Dipper raised an eyebrow, "Sora told us some stuff but I wanna hear your perspective"
"Well, I guess there isn't much to tell if Sora told you. I continued to help Maleficent out until I found Kairi. Then well...I just kept sinking myself more into darkness until Xehanort took control of my body and pretty much lost it all. Thankfully Sora managed to defeat him, and me and King Mickey closed the door and stopped the Heartless and then...Then I found myself here"
"So-So Sora won?" Dipper blinked in surprise, "Like really? Cuz if he did then where is my Grunkle Ford
"Yes, he did…." Riku nodded, "And I don't know, but I know he did win. Xehanort was defeated and the worlds...at least I think, should be restored"
"Then why are you here and not back home?" Dipper asked, this time with a bit more sincerity in his voice.
Riku looked down, "I uh...Let's just say I was already to far gone by the time we won, so...I sorta ended up in limbo"
"Oh I love that game" Mabel interjected
"Not sure that's what he meant Mabel" Dipper took a step back and laid on the ground, "So he did win? Then why isn't Grunkle Ford here...Why do I still have a sinking suspicion that everything is going to pieces and why..."
"Dipper, you're being paranoid again" Mabel shook him.
Dipper frowned, "I'm being cautious"
"Yeah sure whatever" Mabel then turned back to Riku, her serious expression returning, "Why are you here though? Last time we saw you, you were being a big nasty pants"
Riku shrugged, "I don't know, I was brought here and well, someone said they could help me?"
"Help you what?"
"I don't know, atone maybe"
Mable eyes widened as she was about to take a deep breath before she screamed at the top of her lungs, "REDEMPTION ARC! AAAAAAAAGGH ...My favorite story trope and I get to live it with someone! YES YES YES! Oh yes! All the best stories have redemption arcs''
"Yeesh Mable what's with the lungs" Dipper rubbed his ear, "What are you going on about!"
"Dipper! Dipper!" Mable started shaking her brother excitedly, "Do you know what's going on, we might get to partake in a redemption arc!"
"Redemption arc?" Dipper groaned, rolling his eyes a bit "Mable this isn't a fairytale or one of your fanfics this is real life. With nuance and consequences and ..."
"Come on Dipper have a little faith" Mable said, putting her hand over her brother's mouth so he stopped talking "Besides, fairy tales are based on some reality. At least by my logic I did".
"Faith? This guy tried to kill us a few times, and from what I heard almost killed Sora too and our only hope of getting back home" Dipper glared at Riku for a moment, "Forgive me if I don't have a lot of faith"
Riku sighed, looking embarrassed "Sorry-"
"Come on Dipper, everyone deserves a second-"
Riku then saw the door open as a third person, cubby individual with buck like teeth and hat emerged and randomly said, "Redemption arcs are some of the best arcs in all anime. They are usually everyone's favorite character and the most shippable because people love their villain to hero trope. Even the not as well handled versions are still fan favorites. I know I have written a lot of fanfiction about various redeemed characters myself. The latest being a character from Monomono Magical Magic Hi Hi show, show. One of my personal favorite Anime's. Nine times out of ten the redemption characters tend to outshine the actual hero of the story, to the point where the fandom would rather have them be the main character. The only other character who does that is the complete evil psychotic character, especially if they are funny".
Everyone just stood there in silence unsure just what exactly Soos was getting at. Riku blinked a few times wondering just what exactly he had gotten himself into and wondering if it would have been better if he had just stayed in the white void for all eternity and slept.
"Soos, have you been standing out there for a while?" Dipper finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Um, yes I need the vacuum-sorry dudes, gotta clean the gutters" Soos slowly entered the room awkwardly as everyone just watched as he reached for the device, "Yeesh, a lot of eyes, feels like I'm interrupting a scene here, oh boy...Sorry...I'm so sorry"
"You kinda are" Mable muttered.
"Sorry, sorry...I'll get out of here, uh, maybe you can just ignore me and keep the story going"
"Nope, the momentum is already off" Mable commented.
"Again, sorry" Soos closed the door leaving the trip back inside again.
"So! Redemption Arc! Oh boy, I am so going to help!" Mable declared looking excited again, "Okay, so first off, will need a list of all your bad deeds, then will need to think of ways for you to make things better and then"
"Woo! Woo! Mable hold on, let's take a second" Dipper declared, "We tied him up, we can just go making life decisions for him. Personally I think we should just put him back in the woods and send him on his way".
"Well I think one good one would be if he stayed with us" Mable said.
"Why would he...NO! Why would we-"
"Actually, I was kinda hoping I could" Riku interjected giving a nervous chuckle, "I-I really don't know how I got here or where to go".
"Then you'll stay here-" Mable declared, looking giddy with delight "Don't worry I'll convince Grunkle Stan, all you'll probably have to do heavy manual labor for no pay or benefits"
"So you'll be pretty much a slave without the harsh punishments and other nasty things that happened" Dipper grunted, "Knew we should have unionized that one time...But eh, honestly, gonna say...Not sympathetic to your plight here so...".
Riku didn't know how to respond but he had a feeling that saying no was going to be worse than saying yes. All he knew was that someone wanted him to be heard and that maybe it was for the best if he stayed. Not like he could afford a hotel or anything. In fact, he didn't have any money, so really, this was the best he could do.
"Okay-" Riku nodded, "I'll do whatever it takes, just let me stay here for a while, okay?"
Mable just gave him the biggest widest smile he had ever seen, it would put Sora to shame.
"Does she always do that-" Riku asked Dipper. "It's kinda creeping me out"
"Oh believe me, it's just gonna get worse"
-000-
Once untied and free Riku followed Mable downstairs towards the Mystery Shack's main store. Everything seemed relatively peaceful. He remembered some of the names, already Soos was working on something, tinkering with a light bulb, and he also remembered one of the other employees, Wendy, if he was correct, sleeping by the counter.
Taking a look he noticed just how humble this store is, creaky, old, yet with a certain charm to it. All the merchandise was definitely cheap looking though. was busy at one of the counters counting the money. On his shoulder Riku could recognize a familiar looking Red parrot on his shoulder looking at the money as well greedly.
"Iago?" Riku muttered, remembering the parrot from his time in Maleficent castle, he was Jafar's old bird.
"You know him" Mabel points out
Riku nodded glumly, "Yeah, wonder if he remembers me"
"We'll let's find out"
Before Riku could argue Mabel took his hand and dragged him to the counter where Stan was. He was just standing there counting money with a familiar looking pet parrot. Riku's eyes grew a bit as he saw him. Iago, Maleficent's old ally Jafar's pet parrot. What in the worlds was he doing here. It didn't really matter though, though he did wonder if the bird would recognize him in any meaningful way. He didn't interact with many of Maleficent's allies if at all.
"Grunke Stan, Grunkle Stan-" Mable chided taking a moment to get his attention, "Grunke Stan I have a super important question to ask"
Stan didn't even look up counting the money, "Yeah, yeah, whatever, hold on sweetie, I'm counting all this money. We got a whole lot of suckers in today. Managed to con one guy into thinking a -
"Wait a minute!" Iago stopped and finally noticed something, "I think I recognize something about you"
Riku gulped, waiting for Iago to probably remember him even if briefly during his time at Maleficent's castle. The two just looked at each other for a brief while, the red parrot stroking his beak as he was deep in thought.
Finally he opened up and said quite seriously, "Your the Pizza guy aren't yuh...It's been thirty one minutes that Pizza is free"
"What I-" Riku frowned, not even wanting to correct him.
"Iago don't you recognize him, this is Riku" Mabel said introducing them, "Remember, Sora's friend, he lived in the same scary castle you did"
Iago peered again for a moment, "Nope" then his eyes gouged, "Oh wait...Now I remember you...You were Maleficent little pet ain't yuh"
Riku frowned, "Um...Yeah"
Stan looked up now confused, "Okay, what's going on, whose this kid and what's with the grey hair, got a disorder or something"
"No, no, no, Grunkle Stan, this is Riku, Sora's friend," Mabel explained.
Stan looked confused and didn't say anything. His sharp features looking at Riku inqusitiely.
"You know, Sora's friend"
Again Stan was silent.
Mabel frowned "Don't you remember Sora"
Again Stan was silent
Finally Dipper sighed and stepped in, "Your money maker hero"
"Oh-" Stan finally understood nodding, "Monkey maker, yeah I remember him, and I guess I remember a friend too, oh yeah, yeah...Now it's all coming back to me. Didn't you try to kill him with those weird things"
Again Riku looked embarrassed and just looked at the ground, "Um, maybe, little bit"
"Right, right-" Stan nodded, "So uh, what did you want Mabel?"
"Can he live here?" Mabel blurted out much to Riku's surprise.
Stan didn't seem sure at first, "I'm not running a hotel Mabel I'm not about to let some stranger into the house Especially one that's connected to all that weird Heartless nonsense my idiot brother was into".
"Grunkle Ford wasn't heartless; he was trying to stop them," Dipper interjected.
"Stop, into, point is, it was dangerous and got us all in trouble" Stan argued.
"But Grunkle Stan, Riku needs a redemption arc, and I think I'm the best to be his guide and muse on his journey" Mabel said, acting like if Riku was some sort of weird case study, he honestly wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Stan blinked, "You've been reading to many fiction novels against haven't you"
"Mute point" Mabel objected, "Point is, Riku needs help, he doesn't know why he's here and well, since we we're sorta part of Sora's big adventure last time, we might as well help our friend right? Come on, doesn't everyone deserve a second chance"
Stan takes a minute to look at Riku for a while as if testing him, trying to get his resolve. Riku himself wasn't sure just what the answer was, he started to think maybe he was going to need to find a new place to stay and figure everything out. That was until finally moved leaning down towards the counter, shuffling something until he pulled out what looked to be a pair of wolf ears on a headband.
"Put them on" Stan asked.
Riku did hesitantly, for a moment there was silence except for Dipper's slight giggling.
Stan looked at Riku again and nodded, "Perfect, you got a good build for my big attraction way better than Dipper and the guys and ladies will love it"
"Um, what now?" Riku asked, looking nervous.
"Normally I have Dipper here be the wolf boy" Stan explained, Dipper turned red from embarrassment, "But let's face it, he's scrawny, weak willed and not that good looking if you ask me"
"Hey!" Dipper grunted.
Stan rolled his eyes, "You got that look, good muscle build, big blue eyes, perfect. So you can stay as long as you agree to do anything and everything I tell yuh for no pay whatsoever"
Riku took a moment to look at the ears and wondered if it was all worth it. Yet he saw Mabel a big dopey grin on her face. It reminded him of Sora. That same eternal optimism that always seemed to drive him. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, after all he needed a place to stay, he needed to figure out why he was here and what he was doing.
"Okay," Riku nodded, "I'll work for you"
Stan beamed and shouted, "YES THANK YOU OUTDATED CHILD LABOR LAWS"
"Hurray" Mabel hugged him, "Redemption arc with Mabel begins!"
Dipper sighed as he began to head outside, "I knew we should have unionized"
Riku sighed only for Stan to take him by the shoulder and look at him seriously, "Do anything to get my family in danger…" he held up his fist.
"Message crystal clear sir"
-000-
Night time came and Mabel was getting her bed ready, she was so excited though. The chance to partake in a redemption arc. It seemed like something out of a fantasy novel. Or the sequel to fantasy novel where the antagonist became a protagonist and became everyone's favorite character. So essentially what Soos was talking about earlier.
She hoped Riku would be okay downstairs, not like they had much space but it was better than staying in a tight closet. Granted she hoped the cockroaches would bother him. Grunkle Stan was too cheap to hire an exterminator and apparently his bug traps were only attracting Soos who kept trying to eat the cheese.
Either way Mabel already started thinking of all the various ways she was going to help Riku. Maybe they would hold tea parties to help improve his social skills. Introduce him to the world of fashion. He had the body for it, so that meant he would look good in anything, suite, dress, whatever, though he definitely needed a makeover of some sort. She might even keep her own journal, a 'redemption journal' to help better organize all these thoughts she had running through her head. The more she thought about it, the more excited the prospects made her.
"I don't like this Mabel" Dipper grumbled as he straightener his bed sheets, "Riku coming to us just randomly, I mean what are the odds"
Mabel shrugged, continuing to focus on getting her bed ready.
"Exactly!" Dipper shouted, "we get back after losing our world to the Heartless and then poof all of a sudden here's a guy who was front and center of it all showing up on our doorstep asking for our help"
"Maybe he wants to change and he's coming to us because we made a good impression on him," Mabel suggested.
Dipper just rolled his eyes, "Yeah like what the two times we met him"
"Didn't you meet him first?" Mabel asked him with a raised eyebrow
"That's not the point" Dipper snapped, "My point is, something weird is going on and we need to find out Mystery Twins style"
Mabel sighed. Normally she would love seeing her brother embrace his inner Mystery Twin but this time was different. She just could feel it deep down inside that Riku was genuine about wanting to change and wanting their help. It didn't seem right to not help. Why did her brother have to be so paranoid about this?
"Let's give him a chance" Mabel tried giving the cutest expression, "Pwetty Pleeeeeease"
Dipper frowned, "...Don't do that"
"Oh would you please keep it down," Iago squawked baggs under his eyes, "Yeesh though I was done with that Riku kid back in Hollow Bastion"
"Hollow Bastion?" Dipper asked, "Oh yeah...You were with him weren't you, when you with Jafar"
Iago sighed, "Don't remind me, bad enough I was with the world's biggest blowhard, then seeing a pale kid who needed a blood donation and a lot of sun".
"Well what was he like during then?" Dipper asked.
"Sad...Depressed, I don't know, I didn't care, I was with Jafar and he didn't care" Iago argued, "Doubt he was really that bad, but then again I don't care"
"I tend to agree with Master Dipper on this one" Zazu stated as he flew to his perch, "He comes from nowhere and then asks for help"
"And as good hearted people we should" Mabel folded her arms in protest, "Besides who asks and agrees to just work in the mystery shack anyway".
"I don't know...someone dedicated to getting" Dippers eyes widened in fear, "What is he's working for Bill Cipher"
Mabel paused, she hadn't considered if he was working for the insane demon triangle who plagued their family all summer. It had been a while since they last heard from in a while since they lost their world.
"Nah I don't think so...he's good I can tell"
Dippers jaw dropped, "How! He could be working for Bill for all we know, you know he wants to get into our world, and we have the only means of making that happen"
"I just know" Mabel shrugged, "Call it a feeling"
Dipper rubbed his forehead on disabief and sighed hopping on the bed to go sleep, "Well you may believe but I don't...I need a little thing called...facts!"
With those last words he turned off his light.
-000-
Riku slept on Stan's old chair, it was the only place in the living room that was available at the moment. It was the most comfortable night's rest but it was better than lying on the ground or in the middle of the open woods. Still his sleep patterns were off, his mind was still racing as images of his past kept coming back to haunt. His time in Hollow Bastion, the destruction of the Island. All of this made him twist and churn, stomach ruging, he felt sick, it was all his fault and he knew it. If he hadn't let his heart be given to darkness, if he had just left things alone, maybe things would have been different.
"S-Sora" he muttered seeing his friend.
His leg moved accidentally stepping on the remote as the T.V turned on, as the sound of the box saying "We now return to the Duchess Approves" played in the background.
He wanted to run up to Sora, help him, stop the darkness from taking over. If only he had taken his hand during that time. No, if only Riku had gone with Sora into the light, been his true friend and companion. Instead he chose darkness and power and now he was paying the price for his own stupidity.
Darkness, just thinking that word sent his stomach churning. All the darkness gave him was misery and pain. Once he thought it was refuge. A place to be alone and get away from anything that nailed him. Now he realized by isolating himself in that darkness that he only caused himself more pain, and those around him as well.
"Why do you shun the darkness" came a cold yet all too familiar deep voice echoing in his head.
Riku's eyes popped open, "That voice" He said getting up from the chair.
"Darkness is your weapon. It is time you learned to accept it.
Riku looked around for the source of the voice but couldn't find it. The T.V continued to play in the background while he searched. He went through the main store and kitchen yet found the place empty. He headed outside trying to see if anyone was calling to him but all he saw was an empty parking lot and forest. The moon shone high above a clear dark sky, the stars all twinking.
No, not stars, worlds.
"Stop resisting. Accept the darkness. You have no choice..." A dark void emerged and there standing before him now was the all too familiar face of Xehanort "...If you are to serve me again"
"You!" Riku sneered his head starting to spin.
"Surprised"
Xehanort, the Evil Keyblade Master turned Heartless, with white flowing hair, glowing red eyes, wearing his mismatch of a trench coat with white belts. The symbol of the Heartless emplated on his chess as a button. This one person had caused him and his friends so much pain, and they hardly even knew each other. Yet despite what he thought was Sora's victory, he still found a way to stand in front of him.
"Not really" Riku snickered, "I thought I smelled your foul stench, still how did you survive".
"Guess" He smirked.
Riku took a moment but frowned, "Let me guess, your what's left inside of me aren't you"
"Clever boy, you'd make a fine host again" Xehanort said, smirking, "Don't you want my strength again, like back when, you desire those things above all others…
"As if!" Riku scowled, clenching his fist.
"You think you can beat me while rejecting the darkness"
Riku energy began to deteriorate, a pain in his chest. He could smell it, the rotting stench of darkness encompassing him again. It was like drowning in a pool of ice cold water, and yet he was unable to swim his way out. Despite saying earlier he was honestly shocked to see Xehanort standing before him. This evil being had tried to take over his body. The experience was not a pleasant one to say the least. If he was here though that could only have meant that the darkness had not fully been purged.
"Even if you try to ignore the darkness in your heart one day it will consume you" Xehanort replied, "After all, it is a necessary part of the darkness...You will regret it, you will reject the darkness"
"You're wrong" A high pitch voice called, one familiar and friendly.
That voice, Riku knew that voice, that high pitch friendly voice. He tried looking for it yet could not see anything at the moment . However in the moment he felt calm, and at peace, something he hadn't been in a long time.
"Believe Riku, the light will never abandon you. You can't see the light, because you're closing your eyes, but even in the deepest of darkness the light will reach you"
Xehanort smirk, slowly walking towards him to stand his ground "Words of comfort, pathetic. No matter how much you see the light the darkness will always be near. In fact, I'll give you a gift".
Riku felt something inside him, a power increasing a familiar dark power that he once wielded. It made him sick, but it was also pleasurable. It was so tempting to unleash it upon Xehanort right now and be rid of him. But doing so would only give him what he wanted. Yet that control that he longed yearned for was good.
"W-What did you do!" Riku yelled.
Xehanort laughed, "I tempted the darkness that remains in your heart, it will help you in the long run. Of course it is up to you if you use it or not, that is not my place to decide. But you should be aware of it, the smell of darkness that your body is soaked in".
With that Xehanort vanished.
Riku just stood there now before heading back to the shack, he stopped on the porch before stopping.
"Soaked in darkness huh" Riku put his hand over is heart, "Maybe it really is too late for me, no redemption or atonement...Just nothing"
He stood there for a moment thinking maybe he shouldn't enter. Why put the Pines in this situation, they had just gotten their world back. Riku didn't want to burden them any more, perhaps it was best to just leave.
"Riku"
That friendly voice again "Your majesty….C-Can I really make it to the light"
"What are you saying Riku"
"What if I opened my eyes and all I can see is darkness, what if I'm incapable of being part of the light anymore".
"Ah come on Riku, don't be that way, it's not all that bad" Slowly Riku turned around and saw him, King Mickey standing by him, although he was very translucent then last he saw him
"Um...Your majesty" Riku pointed.
Mickey looked down, "Oh, guess I'm still a bit faded, I'm kinda far away at the moment. Sorry I can't get close.
Riku smiled, first smile in a while, it was good to see someone who knew and wanted to see.
"Riku, facing the darkness is going to be tough, I'm not going to sugarcoat that. But-honestly, I think the fact you are here, it's a good thing?"
"Really? Riku turned his to look at the shack, "I don't even know why I'm here to be honest, out of all the places to be"
"Universe works in mysterious ways" Mickey said, "But from what little I've seen, and what little I know, these are good people, in their own strange ways. Perhaps it put you here for a reason"
Riku scoffed, "To be a burden on them, yeah, thanks universe"
"No, I don't believe that, I don't believe that at all" Mickey shook his head, "Stay with them Riku, they are good people, I don't think you should be alone"
To his surprise Riku felt a small drop of water rolling down his cheek, he quickly wiped it off, not wanting to feel too emotional at the moment. Especially in front of the king. Quickly he tried to regain his composure and smile
"Hey," Riku smirked, "Give me some credit, I can handle myself your know your majesty. I won't let things go his way".
"Let's promise" Mickey extended his hand, "I'll be there soon, I have faith you'll be okay till then".
Riku took it but it went right through him. "Is that good enough," he joked.
"We shook hands with our hearts. We're connected to you and me. I'll always be by your side"
Riku smiled, "Thank you your majesty"
"But Riku, try to connect with this family, they are letting you stay, and who knows, you might make some strong bonds along the way"
Riku nodded.
The king vanished leaving Riku alone, standing outside and looking up at the stars.
"Sora...I don't know if you can hear me...Doubt it, but wherever you are...I hope your okay"
Riku closed his eyes and smiled, only to be interrupted by a very familiar sounding Grunkle Stan coming from the living room, shouting at the top of his long, "YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE AT THE COTILLION YOU!"
"Also" Riku added his face becoming stoic, "I hope you landed in a less weird world then I did"
"THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING" Suddenly the TV came from the window and Stan looked outside staring at Riku, "Uh ...I lost the remote"
Riku just sighed, "Sora...I really miss you, and I'm sorry"