Title: Reflections: Riku ( 6 / 8 )
Author name: Ari Powwel
Author email: eight_muses@hotmail.com
Spoilers: Boss fight against AnsemControlled!Riku.
Summary: Riku's talk with Sora.
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 gave Sora a sad smile. He didn't say anything, and I felt Ansem fighting me. But for the moment, he was out for the count.

'Riku. Is it . . . is it really you?' Sora asked.

I nodded. We stared at each other for a minute, before I broke the silence. 'I'm sorry, Sora.'

This time, he nodded. 'Why?'

I looked away. 'You know why.' I paused, trying to get my thoughts organised a little so I wouldn't babble. 'I didn't want to . . .' I stopped again. 'I never wanted to . . .' For some reason, I couldn't finish my sentence.

He sighed; his shoulders slumped. 'It shouldn't be like this. It should be you and me, fighting together against the evil. Not you fighting for evil and me against you.'

I couldn't say anything to that. 'I wish it was . . . but I suppose destiny had something else in mind.' Funny, after all this, I still believed in destiny . . .

Sora looked at me in disbelief, shaking his head. 'You believe all of this was supposed to happen? You think Kairi was supposed to lose her heart? You think you were supposed to be taken by the darkness? What reason could there possibly be for this?!'

'I don't know,' I said, realising I spoke without emotions now. I'd been struggling to hide my emotions since I was little . . . I'd never realised I'd accomplished it. For how long? I wondered. 'But . . . somehow I know it'll all turn out fine. Look,' I added, cutting Sora off, 'if this hadn't happened, we wouldn't have seen all these different worlds, we wouldn't know that Kairi was really a princess, and you'd still be losing something awful in our practise matches.' I allowed myself a slight smile.

Sora just stared at me, disbelief written all over his features. I laughed aloud. 'You never were able to conceal your emotions very well.'

Ansem started fighting again, sending another flash of pain through me. I gritted my teeth; I would not scream in front of Sora. Something must have flashed across my face, because he asked, 'What's wrong?'

'Ansem,' was the only word I could offer in explanation. A flicker of hatred crossed his face. I took a breath; I knew what had to be done. 'Sora, you've got to defeat me.' Another flash of pain spread through my limbs.

He stopped. 'I can't – I can't hurt my best friend like that.'

A wry smile crossed my face. 'Sora, I've felt every blow you've landed on Ansem. One more isn't going to hurt. No –' I held up my hand as Sora rummaged in his pouch – 'You don't want to heal Ansem, right?' he wore a pained expression.

'But –'

I finally broke, Ansem was constantly sending more pain. 'Just do it, Sora!' I screamed. 'I don't care what happens to me, but you can't afford to lose!'

He slowly nodded.

'Seal the Keyhole, Sora. Beat the darkness.' I gave him a weak smile. 'And use Ragnarok.'

He drew back, obviously confused. 'But – that's yours! I can't just start taking moves off you!' I gave him a glance. 'Alright, okay, I know I've used yours. But I meant the ones that only you've used, your special ones.'

'Use Ragnarok,' I repeated. 'Now, do it!' I screamed the last bit as another flash of pain crossed me, stronger this time. I bent my head as he moved closer, shut my eyes as he raised the sword, saw the carpet under his feet dampen a bit –

Ansem swung the sword up to block his blow.

'You won't be rid of me so easy,' he hissed, striking Sora again. And you . . . I winced, understanding he was rather angry with me . . . Angry doesn't even begin to describe it.

I swallowed, knowing that soon I was going to face pain. But first, the boy will, Ansem laughed, blocking a blow from Sora easily. The boy was battling his emotions as well, trying to decide whether to finish it or not.

Just do it, dammit! I screamed at him, a part of my mind surprised I had sworn. Sora's head snapped up in surprise. Vaguely, I was shocked. Had he heard me? His face twisted into some gruesome expression. I didn't recognise it . . . 'This is for what you did to Riku,' he said, and unleashed a flurry of attacks upon Ansem. 'Sorry, Riku,' he said after that.

I guess so.

I grinned. Don't worry about it . . . I decided, since I was going to be killed anyways . . . an insane grin crossed my face and I started on Ansem again.

Sora knows you're almost gone . . . he knows.

You fool. I heard every bit of it.

So? That doesn't mean you heard everything . . . haven't you ever heard of good friends having mind connections? I laughed; there wasn't any that I'd heard about, but . . .

Ansem swore.

He knows everything.

Ansem missed a block, another strike to the side . . . he was almost done.

He'll beat you. He'll defeat the darkness.

Sora let loose with Ars Arcanum again. Ansem stumbled to the side.

You're finished.

And the blow came down.