Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 6

Selphie hung up with a frown, Sora wasn't telling her something, she just didn't know what. And she was sure she'd heard Terra in the background, so was he at the Land of Departure? Ugh. Sometimes he could be so frustrating! Ever since…ever since that bastard had turned on him, Sora had withdrawn a lot. She hated him for how his betrayal had hurt Sora. Before then, she'd thought that maybe they'd…but no, ever since…since Riku had left Sora behind after fighting side by side, he'd held her at a distance. He still talked to her, came for her when she'd been kidnapped, but what she'd thought was growing between them had stopped dead. She wasn't sure why, but it was almost like Sora was punishing himself for failing to save Riku.

If only they could go back to when they were kids, they could have gotten Riku help before Darkness ever came into their lives.

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Riku stepped out into the sun and closed his eyes, leaning against the low stone balcony, soaking up the sun. it felt like forever since he'd been in real sunlight which was silly since they'd stayed on the Islands before being called for the exam. He coughed, but there was no painful pull or wet feeling to it.

"You alright?" Mickey asked, and Riku looked down at him. It hurt, seeing the damage, and knowing he was the cause…well another him. "Riku?" Mickey looked up at him, and Riku looked away.

"It feel like forever since I've seen the real sun. The exam, I mean a lot of the Sleeping Worlds were in daytime but it didn't feel the same. And it turns out I was in Sora's dreams of those Worlds so maybe that's why, I subconsciously knew it was a dream of a dream."

"It seems strange to think of Master Yen Sid putting you through the exams so young," the King admitted, and Riku shrugged.

"Looking back on it, it doesn't make sense."

"How so?"

Riku sighed, running a hand through his hair, still not used to how short it was now but glad he'd gotten it cut since it was one more thing to differentiate him from the other one. "He went on about us being self-taught and all, only to promptly erase all of our powers and dump us into the Sleeping Worlds where…we had to teach ourselves again."

Mickey was silent and Riku just stared out at the overgrown grounds. "What was he thinking?" the King finally muttered. "You're right, that doesn't make any sense. Was I there?"

"Yeah, you sent the letter telling us about what was going on, so you already knew at least part of it. I don't know what happened while we were gone, but you showed in up the World that Never Was in time to help save Sora. Lea, Donald, and Goofy appeared later, right as Xehanort sent a piece of his Heart at Sora. Lea protected Sora by grabbing him and setting everything on fire," he shook his head, pyromaniac. Then again he couldn't really talk when he favoured fire too.

"Why did they target Sora? They never have here, except to kill him."

"I was the original target according to Xehanort. They only went after Sora because I'd gained an immunity to Darkness. He said…they moved down the list like the Keyblade had."

"Immunity?" Mickey sounded intrigued, and he shrugged again.

"I guess? I don't know how it works. I've been able to…smell Darkness since leaving the Realm of Darkness, that came in handy in Castle Oblivion," without it, he might not have seen through the illusion of Sora to realise it wasn't him trying to kill him. "You…the Mickey I know, he helped so much even though we were separated. He was able to help me keep fighting, even when Ansem kept trying to take my body back. In the end, once Sora was asleep, I faced him, one last time and I beat him. I know there's Darkness in my Heart and there always will be, but it's my Darkness and I control it," he was rambling a bit maybe, but he wanted this Mickey to understand.

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Mickey listened; his counterpart had helped the boy fight the Darkness inside of him? it was strange to think of himself as Riku's friend but this Riku…it seemed it was possible.

"Mickey?"

"Yeah, Riku?" he looked up at the teen.

"What will happen to me if…if you can't send me home?" he was staring out at the gardens, towards town, rather than looking at Mickey.

"I don't know," he admitted. "You aren't our enemy but a lot of Worlds have been harmed by the other Riku and may not be willing to give you a chance," he didn't like having to say that, but it was the nature of people to want someone to blame and Riku would be an easy target.

He couldn't return to the Destiny Islands, no one would believe he was Riku due to his age, he'd be an outsider. Who knew how Master Yen Sid would react to him, but Mickey wasn't his apprentice anymore, he could take his own stand on things. Riku had already taken the Mastery exam but he hadn't been declared a Master and they both agreed the whole things had been odd…would he be willing to apprentice under one of the current Masters for at least a while? That would help with his being accepted. He didn't think Aqua was an option, she was having enough trouble with Terra. Sora…maybe? They seemed to be becoming more comfortable with each other, but could Riku accept him as an authority figure? Could he take Riku on? He made the most sense and he was the oldest Master outside of Yen Sid. They were still one Guardian short…

"Riku?" he asked, and the teen fully turned to him, obviously hearing the seriousness in his tone. "Would you consider becoming my apprentice?" he asked, watching Riku's eyes go wide in shock.

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Terra headed outside, thinking over everything Sora had told him. The idea that this boy came from some kind of alternate version of their Worlds was very strange to him. how much did they still not know about everything? What must it be like to find yourself somewhere only to have everyone see you as a stranger or worse…an enemy? Terra knew he was so very lucky, that Aqua and Ven had forgiven him, had accepted him back so easily. Yes, Aqua did at times hesitate around him, but it was understandable, and she had never drawn her Keyblade on him…not like he had done to Riku.

He had to admit, he was very curious about the teen. How was he able to somehow balance Light and Darkness within his Heart? Terra struggled every day to keep the Darkness at bay and yet it seemed effortless for Riku. It would be so easy to feel jealous but he couldn't let himself, not just because it was the kind of emotion that Darkness fed off, but because it was wrong.

Terra left the castle, spotting King Mickey with Riku, the teen staring at the Keyblade Master in what appeared to be shock.

"Mickey, I…" Riku trailed off.

"It's okay if you don't want to Riku. You were taking the exam after all."

Terra blinked, did that mean what he thought? He hung back, not wanting to interrupt something so important. Had Mickey thought it through? Master Yen Sid would likely not agree, Aqua would be very wary…but Sora would probably agree. The idea of giving Riku Keyblade training…by the sound of it, he was as self-taught as Sora had been before meeting Aqua. They seemed very sure he wasn't from their reality or whatever, but there was still the chance…this was all a trap of some kind.

"Mickey, are you sure?" Riku asked, sounding like he didn't believe what he was hearing.

"Well, sure. You aren't anything like the Riku we've been fighting. Holding his actions against you is wrong. And if your Master Yen Sid was doing the exam that way to get rid of any possible bad habits, then doesn't it make sense to actually train under a Master for a while?"

Master Yen Sid was what? That didn't make sense, the exam was meant to prove you had the skill and mindset of a Master, not get rid of anything – that should be done via training.

"The others…"

"Choosing an apprentice or students is a Masters' choice, they can disagree all they like but it's my decision."

"You're as stubborn as him" Riku shook his head, but there was a slight uplift to the corners of his mouth, almost a smile.

"There's no time limit Riku, think about it all you need."

"There's no need," Riku shook his head, and now he really was smiling, it was small but definitely a smile. "I'd be honoured."

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He steepled his fingers, staring out at the stars. They sang of hope, as they had the last several days…since Sora had returned to his home. Something had happened, had changed, but what? He knew Mickey had since joined the younger Master, that they were in Radiant Garden, but why? Sora had reported he was dealing with whatever he had been sent to investigate, but the report had been severely lacking in detail. Perhaps a lesson in report writing was needed?

He trusted Sora to know what he was getting into; the boy had come a long way from the reckless teen he had first met. He was a Keyblade Master in his own right now, an excellent warrior and powerful mage. Still, it was hard not to worry when he went silent and Mickey followed.

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"Hey Aqua?"

She looked up and smiled as Ven slipped into the library. "Good morning Ven, have a nice sleep in?" she teased and he rolled his eyes. She had to tease, it was that or panic every time he did oversleep.

"Is Terra back yet?"

"No, he called late last night. He'll probably be staying a few days to help Sora and Mickey with something."

"Must be something big," Ven flopped into a chair, and she nodded.

Terra wouldn't tell her though, and she couldn't help worrying. Sora and Mickey would not drag him into anything dangerous though and even if trouble did find them, two Masters and someone with the skill of a Master should be a match for almost anything. They'd be fine, it wasn't like they'd gone to the Realm of Darkness or anything, she'd glimpsed a stone building or wall behind him during the call, they were in the Realm of Light still.

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Sora collapsed on the bed in the room they'd given him to use, just down the hall from Riku's. The day hadn't gone horribly considering the start. Would Terra have killed Riku if they hadn't gotten there in time to stop him? Then again, he'd considered doing exactly that at first, so he couldn't really blame him. Still, seeing Riku backed into the wall, eyes wide…afraid, had hurt. He'd spent years trying to forget they'd ever been friends, to see Riku as the enemy, and now there was a version of him who could be his friend again.

Calming Selphie down without giving anything away hadn't been easy, explaining everything to Terra had been easier! It was kind of weird to think that another version of him knew a totally different Keyblade Wielding girl, a Princess of Heart at that! So much about Riku's world was so very different. He felt bad that the girl had given her life…her Heart…to save Radiant Garden when she was so little. Riku had obviously cared deeply for her, he'd been physically sick in reaction to sensing what she'd done.

Mickey asking Riku to be his apprentice was not something Sora would have imagined happening. The thought had vaguely passed his mind for the future, but so soon? His Keyblade was still sealed! And there'd been no mention of unsealing it. Well, if he was anything like Sora had been way back then, then he probably had a lot of history and theory to catch up on which didn't need the Keyblade. At least it meant he wouldn't have to defend Riku from everyone, that duty now fell to Mickey as his Master. He had his own duties to attend to…

He owed nothing to Riku, either of them, was under no obligation other than to unseal his Keyblade when Mickey eventually asked him to and even then, Merlin and another Master could do it without him. He'd already given more help than anyone would expect him to… so why couldn't he just walk away? Why did he want to help Riku? He couldn't replace the friend he'd lost with a new version of him, that wasn't fair on anyone.

Sora groaned and rolled over, burying his head in the pillow. He…he wanted to get to know this Riku better, to be his friend. Even when his head still screamed it could all be a trick of some kind….his Heart whispered that he should take the chance, that Riku wouldn't betray him. Why did his life always have to be so complicated?

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Riku sat up and stared out the window to see the sun part way up in the sky. He was feeling better every day which he guessed was good. They seemed intent on stuffing him with food, healthy food too, and he understood why, he just couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for it. he had to regain his strength; he hadn't realised how bad his health had gotten. Already, he felt stronger, it was just hard to see it as important when there were so many other things on his mind.

Had he done the right thing, accepting Mickey's offer? The idea of actually training under a Master though had been too good to pass up. He hoped Mickey didn't end up regretting it. He doubted the others would accept their relationship easily, or at all, not when it was obvious how they felt about the other him. What could have made him throw aside his friends the way he had? It was scary to consider but…had he only come to his senses because Ansem possessed him? If that hadn't happened…would he have ended up like this Riku?

He sighed and got up, stretching. He'd probably never know those answers so best not to dwell on them. He'd learnt that lesson while Sora slept, dwelling on things he couldn't change just helped strengthen the Darkness and he had no desire to ever get stuck in that form again or having to wear a blindfold to keep it from happening.

He had accepted the apprenticeship, but that didn't mean he was giving up on finding a way home. They'd been at war for years, if things here were close enough when it came to Xehanort's plans then he had to get home, they had even fewer people on the side of Light than they had here.

Riku headed for the bathroom to shower and dress for the day, wondering what would happen next. He'd thought the exam had been crazy with falling asleep all the time and diving between worlds, but now…now his life really was crazy.

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Ansem glanced up as young Riku entered the dining room, hair damp. They really did need to send him into town for more clothing, he couldn't keep borrowing their things after all. He glanced at his old friend and Mickey nodded, he'd take care of it. It was about time the king took an apprentice of his own, even if this one was mostly trained already.

So far, his research had turned up nothing that could help them return Riku to his own home, but they would keep looking.

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Mickey easily kept pace with Riku as they left the Castle and headed into the town, Riku looking around with wide eyes. Wh…of course, he'd said Radiant Garden had fallen, he had likely never seen it then. He led the way to the market, bustling with activity, but then paused and looked back to find Riku standing there, staring. "Riku?" he called, walking back to him.

"I…" he took a step back, breathing faster, and Mickey frowned in concern.

"Easy Riku," he soothed, moving closer. He'd been fine…till the crowd. When was the last time Riku had been around a lot of people? He had the sinking feeling it may have been before the Destiny Islands fell. "It's alright, we'll go somewhere else." He carefully guided him away from the crowd and towards a house midway back to the castle. One that was far larger on the inside than it appeared.

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Riku was mentally kicking himself as he followed Mickey into the house, one he recognised from Sora's stories, Merlin's. Why had he frozen up like that? The people here weren't the same as those who had returned to Hollow Bastion after they had sealed the Door and restored the Worlds. The Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee didn't even exist.

Did Radiant Garden know as much about other Worlds as their version did? Would they know about the other Riku and what he'd done? Riku had only been to the World once, during Sora's battle with those thousands of Heartless, when he'd asked Maleficent for help in saving them.

He wasn't even sure if was fear over being recognised that had made him freeze. There had been so many people in the market. When was the last time he'd seen a crowd like that? The Land of Dragons when he'd snuck in to meet the Emperor maybe? But he hadn't gone through them, had used a Corridor to bypass everyone. He'd never had trouble being around people before not that their Island had a large population but he'd been to the big island at least three of four times a year since he was six to visit his Mum and Stepdad.

He was officially a mess and he knew it, now this Mickey knew it too. But there was no censure or disappointment as Mickey began talking to Merlin, introducing them. He did kind of feel like a very interesting specimen or something as the wizard walked around him, studying him.

"Hmmm, very interesting indeed. Why, you're a very long way from home dear boy."

"Do you know a way I can get back?" he asked, of course he should have thought about Merlin! Sora had told him all about the powerful, if scatterbrained, Wizard who could travel between Worlds and even time!

But the wizard shook his head sadly. "That does not mean there isn't a way, you mustn't lose hope."

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"Everything alright?" Terra asked as Mickey and Riku finally returned.

"Right as rain," Mickey nodded, ushering Riku off to unpack the packages he was carrying, but Terra knew something was up.

"Mickey?" he pressed.

"Nothing bad, just…something to keep in mind. Riku hasn't spent much time around a lot of people the last few years. We ended up at Merlin's instead of the market."

Oh…yeah, that made sense. He didn't even remember his time possessed and he'd had a few incidents of feeling strange in crowds at first.

"What are you going to do next?" he asked as they headed for the dining room.

Mickey sighed. "I'd love to have the time to spare to just spend several months working with him before anyone else finds out about him."

"But that's impossible," Terra agreed.

Mickey couldn't just vanish for that long, he had too many responsibilities. If Aqua could accept his presence in the Land of Departure, that would limit the number of people who would know about him and give him a good place to practice when Mickey was gone. He'd have three people around who could spar with him too…if Aqua would let Ventus anyway. Despite the fact he was finally growing up, was older than Riku, she still had trouble letting him act his age. Not that he blamed her, he'd never seen Ven after his Heart was lost and he fell into that coma like state, but he remembered what he'd been like when he first arrived and that had been bad enough. But Ventus was due to take the exam in a few months with Selphie, he was an adult and Aqua had to let go. And so did he. Once, the idea of Ven being a Master before him would have seemed ridiculous but he was in no hurry anymore.

Riku wasn't the last in for the meal, Sora was, grimacing slightly as he tucked his Gummiphone away. He caught Mickey's eyes and mouthed a name out of Riku's sight, Yen Sid. He was likely wondering what they were all doing in Radiant Garden which meant they had to tell him something. He was very glad that with two Masters present, he wouldn't be the one having to explain. Would Master Yen Sid accept that this Riku was not the one they had spent years fighting? Being Mickey's official apprentice would give him protection, once it was known about, at least. Of course once it was known, it likely wouldn't remain secret for long and who knew what Xehanort and especially the other Riku would do.

TBC…