Title: Reflections: Riku ( 2 / 8 )
Author name: Ari Powwel
Author email: eight_muses@hotmail.com
Spoilers: Hollow Bastion, still . . .
Summary: An alliance is formed.
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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I felt myself moving along the hall, the Dark Keyblade clutched in my hand. Almost instantly I remembered what had happened to me, remembered the struggle. I had lost. As if losing to Sora hadn't damaged my pride enough, now I'd lost to this – this thing. It was almost too much to bear.

You may call me Master, the man said calmly, as if he possessed people every day.

I felt myself recoil. I don't think so, I replied coldly, somehow glaring. In response, the man chuckled, a shiver running up my spine.

We'll see . . . was all he said.

I scowled, watching the halls go by. I retreated to a little corner of my mind, trying to find out what had happened. I had no idea, really. All I knew is that once I'd accepted the power, he'd taken myself away from my control.

He seemed all too willing to explain it to me, something I found unnerving. Why would he be telling me all of this . . . ?

I'd suggest you didn't worry about it. After all, one who knows nothing can understand nothing.

Are you trying to tell me something? I spat, wondering vaguely if he could read my thoughts. Well, Riku, what do you think? I asked myself, feeling stupid for even having to ask. I stopped listening, barely hearing when he stopped.

After a couple minutes of sitting, I realised I knew the answer. I just didn't want to face it. Sighing, I let myself know. I'd been sinking into the darkness since the beginning of this entire thing; ever since I held out my hand to Sora on the island. I'd steadily used the darkness more and more, relishing the idea that Sora would never be able to match me. I'd be able to save Kairi all by myself and maybe, just maybe, she'd understand. And she'd finally love me.

But it had backfired in my face. Instead of saving Kairi, I was the one needing saving. But . . . there was still a chance. Kairi's heart would be restored; Maleficent would be sure of that. She needed her, to complete the Keyhole.

She'd be saved. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Now, it didn't matter what happened to me, because she'd be fine. I didn't care anymore.

I'm glad you feel that way, the voice smirked. Now, are you willing to obey me?

I took a shuddering breath. I'd give anything to see Kairi . . . to see her open her eyes again.

And I can help you accomplish that.

I don't really have a choice in this, do I?

You should think so. You can either do this of your free will, or you can be forced into it.

I debated it a moment. If I agreed, I at least had a chance . . . I sighed. If you were going to give me a choice, why did you bother taking over my body in the first place?

I could hear the smirk in his voice. It's simple enough. If I had waited, you would have adjusted to the power, and you could have resisted. Then . . . he stopped.

And you're telling me this why?

No answer. I didn't even need one, really, but it would have . . . no. I was going to die. And that was how it would go. No chance for survival, not with – him inside me.

A thought occurred to me. If he could read my thoughts, perhaps . . . I could read his. I poked around a bit, searching. A fragment reached me, but it wasn't exactly a thought. More like a memory.

He sat at a table, writing.

Just as people have hearts, so do worlds. The same can be said of stars in the night sky. And deep within each world lies a door to its heart.

The Heartless desire those hearts. Born out of darkness in people's hearts, they seek to return to a greater heart. Yes, that's it. The Heartless come from people's hearts, as does the darkness.

Is the core of the world's heart the world of the Heartless? I will pursue the answer there and become all knowing. My path is set.

I shall seek out the wielder of the Keyblade, and the princesses. My body is too frail for such a journey, but I most do this. I will cast it off and plunge into the depths of darkness.

I knew this man! Maleficent had showed me those exact words, scribed on bits of parchment. Torn, but otherwise readable. 'These were written by a wise man. He was supposedly studying the Heartless, but we all know better,' she had told me. 'This man created the Heartless!' she had cackled madly here; I had wondered what was so terribly funny about this.

'And did this man have a name?' I asked her, faint sarcasm in my voice.

'Ansem.' I nodded. 'And don't get cheeky with me, boy,' she'd ordered. 'You may be one of us, but that doesn't mean you can disrespect your betters.'

'Since when have you been my better?' Bad. I cringed, remembering what had happened after that . . .

Well? Ansem – for I was positive that's who he was – asked me again, this time a bit impatiently. I swallowed, wondering what to do.

I'll do it.