Disclaimer: still not mine
Chapter 4
Riku stared at the Keyblade, this was what he needed to save Kairi. And then what? Sora… he shook his head and then ran his fingers through his hair, trying to ease the ache. Sora was his rival…his best friend… everything…nothing… he leant against the wall, breathing hard, and then he heard the clicking of her staff as she approached. He lifted his head and she smiled at him.
"You see? You did it Riku, you claimed the Keyblade." She reached out to stroke his hair and he closed his eyes, leaning into the gentle, parental, touch, the confusion and pain fading. "Go, rest child. There is time and it wouldn't do to have you exhausted."
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Sora snarled, temper fraying as they faced more Heartless, unable to even enter the castle proper because the stupid doors were locked! And without the Keyblade he was relying almost solely on magic alone. A wooden sword wasn't much of a weapon, even backed by vampire strength and reflexes. His claws could pierce most Heartless, but not the armoured ones…which of course a lot of the local ones were.
He gasped out in pain as he slammed into unforgiving stone at high speed, feeling bones snap, coughing up blood from the force of the blow.
"Sora!" he heard his name yelled but it was distant. He felt cold liquid drip from his lips, darkness overtaking his vision.
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Beast saw the boy hit the stone wall, knowing it was a fatal blow for a human, especially one so small…smelt the blood he coughed up, saw him slide down the wall even as they called his name. Magic was powerful, but could even it heal the mass of internal injuries Sora would have…his spine?
He barrelled into the Heartless that were blocking the duck one from Sora since he seemed to be the main healer. The other one also threw himself into the fight, trying to keep them away from the injured boy.
A snarl came from there that sounded anything but human and he looked over to see Sora weakly getting to hands and knees, eyes blood red and fangs bared as he lunged at a nearby Shadow.
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Donald slid across the ground, scrambling to stop as he saw Sora move…only to freeze for a second as he took in red/blue eyes without an overlay of pure blue…the illusion gone. The only reason that should happen…was if the vampire took over completely. Donald gulped, that was not good. Sora was very badly hurt, he needed help, but the vampire instincts were making him fight, stressing his body further. Donald threw several cure spells at him to at least seal the wounds, but he needed to take a look at the deeper damage…and Sora needed to feed. He was way too pale, even for a vampire.
"Code red!" he yelled to Goofy to let him know Sora had lost it.
It had been Sora's idea, so that hopefully he would never come back to himself to find he'd hurt them, or worse. Of course, it depended on one of them being able to warn the other and there was always the chance that wouldn't happen.
He sent a quick blast of thunder around them to clear the area and then quickly drew out several of the emergency blood packs. The emergency packs had a little extra something in them curtesy of Merlin to help fill him quicker and induce even faster healing.
"Sora…it's okay Sora," he called, cautiously tossing a pack to the young vampire who snatched it out of the air, sniffing at it before biting down to drink. Red eyes darted around as he fed, low snarls coming from his throat, but Goofy and the Beast were doing a good job of mopping up the remaining Heartless.
He began shifting closer, needing to get a better look at Sora's injuries. He had to have internal bleeding and broken bones surely, even with a vampires' altered physiology. Hopefully, some part of him would recognise Donald's scent since he was exposed to it all of the time and identify him as a friend.
Sora looked up, baring his fangs in threat, blood coating them and his lips. He looked scary, wings shifting behind him, but Donald was not going to be afraid of the kid! Sora was just hurt and scared, trying to look like a threat so no one would hurt him more.
Donald carefully held out the next pack and Sora whined, sniffing at him, before whimpering softly. He heard Goofy move closer, the sounds of fighting dying off until it was only the four of them. Sora was eyeing the beast warily, tense because of him.
"Is he alright?" the beast asked, and Sora hissed at him.
"He will be," Donald stated firmly, because he refused to believe anything else. Magic could seal Sora's wounds and so long as he had access to blood his own biology would take care of the rest.
Sora slumped to the ground, still feeding, and Donald move closer, gently stroking brown spikes, feeling he teen slowly relax, turning to curl into him, seeking warmth, and Donald let him.
"That's it, we've got you," he told him, giving him a third pack to be safe.
By the time he'd finished, he was half asleep, so Goofy carefully lifted him in his arms and they backtracked to a room they'd spotted earlier in the basement area that was easily defended.
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Riku wandered the halls, he'd slept for a time, but now he felt unsettled. He'd locked his rooms with the Keyblade to ensure Kairi was safe but now he didn't know what to do. He walked into the entrance hall only to be surprised when Sora entered with his 'friends' and the beast, the beast easily enough sent off chasing shadows.
Sora…what was he doing? Why hadn't he left when he had the chance? It was too dangerous…he was going to save Kairi! He didn't need Sora's help, he had the Keyblade now after all.
"Quit while you can," he called, stepping into view, watching them turn to face him. Oddly, Sora didn't look at all surprised by his presence, as if he'd known he was there.
"No. Not without you and Kairi," Sora answered, surprising Riku. He…didn't sound angry despite having lost the Keyblade. He sounded…worried?
"The darkness will destroy you," he warned, why was he warning him? Tendrils of darkness erupted around Riku changing him, but he didn't bother to look. He clenched his fists, feeling the dark powers inside his heart, and glared at his rival…his friend…
"You're wrong, Riku. The darkness may destroy my body, but it can't touch my heart," Sora called back, head held high, a hand over his chest. "My heart will stay with my friends. It'll never die!"
"Really... Well, we'll just see about that!" He thrust his hand forward, releasing a dark fireball aimed straight at Sora's heart. The energy coursed through his hand, causing the air
to ripple, his hair whipping across his face. What…what was he doing?
Sora seemed paralysed as it drew near him, their eyes meeting over the flames before Sora closed his.
"Sora ain't gonna go anywhere!" Goofy called; shield held high as he blocked the attack.
"How will you fight without a weapon?" Riku demanded, half relieved and half furious that the attack had been blocked.
Sora looked back up at him, eyes…sad? "I know now I don't need the Keyblade. I've got a better weapon. My heart."
"Your heart? What good will that weak little thing do for you?" he scoffed at the younger boy.
"All though my heart may be weak, it's not alone. It's grown with each new experience, and it's found a home with all the friends I've made. I've become a part of their heart just as they've become a part of mine. And if they think of me now and then...if they don't forget me...then our hearts will be one." Sora drew the wooden sword and looked down at it before looking up at him again, expression determined now. "I don't need a weapon. My friends are my power!" he declared.
Riku gasped in surprise as the Keyblade flashed in his hand, only to leave him gawking in total astonishment as it vanished. No! It was his! He needed it to save Kairi. The Keyblade
reappeared in Sora's hands, and he stared up at Riku, who quickly called Soul Eater to hand.
Then they were clashing, just as they had for years except with real weapons instead of wooden swords. Riku was confident the fight would go his way as always, even with Sora having others on his side. They fought across the large room, no words passing between them, until Sora got the upper hand. He bashed Riku in the side with the blade, sending him
flying backward toward the fountain in the centre of the room.
"No... Not yet..." Riku gasped, bending over, breathing heavily. The darkness around him faded and he ran, disgraced and panicking. Sora wasn't that strong! What had happened? Why couldn't he defeat him? He made it to the Castle Chapel, running across the stone floors, out of breath. "Why? It was mine."
"Know this."
He stopped at the sound of the voice, catching his breath, and turned around to face the hooded figure.
"The heart that is strong and true shall win the Keyblade."
"What? You're saying my heart's weaker than his?" He demanded angrily, glaring in defiance.
"For that instant, it was."
Riku's eyes widened and he shook his head, staring at the floor. But why? He didn't understand.
"However, you can become stronger," he offered, walking closer. "You showed no fear in stepping through the door to darkness. It held no terror for you. Plunge deeper into the darkness, and your heart will grow even stronger."
Riku looked up, ignoring the small voice in his head that told him to run, he had to do this, he had to save Kairi. "What should I do?"
"It's really quite simple. Open yourself to the darkness. That is all. Let your heart, your being become darkness itself."
Riku stared at him and then let his eyes close, following his direction, not seeing himself as he glowed with a green aura.
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Sora watched Riku run off, wanting so badly to chase after him, but Donald was hurt, and he was the next best at healing spells. Plus, he needed a top up of blood, the wounds Riku had inflicted had already healed but he had still lost blood. It didn't take too long and then they were off, Sora following Riku's scent, though it was hard since apparently he had been wandering around before they arrived, still the new scent trail had been made by a bleeding Riku, making it easier than it would have been otherwise.
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As soon as Riku joined her she knew, the boy had fallen to the Darkness, to the Other who had been calling to him. Even if she hadn't sensed it, the strange quality of his voice made it clear he was possessed by another. She chose to confront the Keyblade bearer herself, to test him, and see if he could do what she could not and free Riku of the possession. If not then he was of no use and she would kill them all. And if she must, she would kill Riku as well, although she did not wish to.
As soon as she saw the boy, she felt the powerful magics around him and recognised the caster, Merlin. He was one of the few 'Light' magicals she held any true respect for. He lacked the holier than you attitude the majority held and his endless curiosity for the worlds and magic was refreshing at times, his accidents amusing. She also had no desire to ever go up against him in a serious fight…because she did not know who would prevail. That his magic was on the Keyblade bearer made her think that maybe he could save Riku. She wanted Riku in the Darkness with her, but not the kind that had possessed him.
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Sora panted for unneeded air, staring at Maleficent as she backed away. There was something…odd about that battle, something not quite right. Their eyes met and he nearly jerked as he felt her magic, saw her eyes widen in shock, but then she nodded slightly, and he heard her voice whisper although her lips did not move. "Perhaps you can do it boy…free Riku from the one who possesses him." And then she was gone through a portal.
Sora stared after her, she'd been the one behind it all, who had twisted Riku into what he had become…or was she? Maybe there was something else going on as well. Did she…actually care about Riku in some way?
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Riku felt so strange, not in control at all, watching as his body moved through a corridor of blackness, appearing behind Maleficent who seemed injured. He wanted to ask if she was alright, but he couldn't.
"Do you need some help?" it was his voice but not and he was terrified. What was happening? This wasn't what he wanted, was it?
"Riku!" a familiar voice called and then his body turned to face Sora and his friends. Sora…his rival…enemy…friend?
"Is that—" the duck stared at Riku's hand and he felt it move, the object he was holding coming into his line of sight even as he spoke.
"Yes. A Keyblade. But unlike yours, this Keyblade holds the power to unlock people's hearts. Allow me to demonstrate... Behold!" he spun and stabbed out with it, the blade sinking into Maleficent's chest.
"Wha—" she gasped as she was flooded with darkness, staring into his eyes in shock and he wanted to move, to do something. She'd been the only one kind to him since he had arrived, had taught him, helped him… and he'd stabbed her.
He saw the understanding in her eyes even as whatever was controlling him spoke. "Now, open your heart, surrender it to the darkness! Become darkness itself!" He released the Keyblade and retreated into a portal. What had he done?
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Sora stared at where Riku had vanished after his words on the now dead Maleficent, more proof it wasn't Riku anymore, something really was possessing him. Maleficent had known, had warned him…he'd seen the look in her eyes when Riku stabbed her and he realised she really had cared somehow for him. Whatever she'd been doing, she hadn't planned on Riku becoming possessed, he was sure of that now.
He stood still as Donald finished healing them and then pulled out a pack to sip from, knowing there was more fighting to come and that he needed to keep full, the last thing he wanted was to find Kairi or Riku and then bite them because he had lost too much blood.
They moved back to the room they had originally faced her in and then on through a newly opened doorway, into a grand hall. Lining it were the Princesses held in some kind of capsule, all looking peaceful but lifeless…like Kairi. They kept moving, up the stairs and then he saw her.
"Kairi!" he rushed over, almost too fast, kneeling beside to her to lift her into his arms, shaking her gently. "Kairi! Kairi! Open your eyes!" he begged.
"It's no use," the strange double voice called, and he looked up to see Riku…or his body at least, sitting above the great heart. "That girl has lost her heart. She cannot wake up."
Sora set Kairi down gently, those words just proved it wasn't Riku, he would never sound like that when speaking about Kairi.
"You're not Riku," he stated, glaring at him.
"The Keyhole cannot be completed so long as the last princess of heart still sleeps." Riku dropped down, almost floating down to stand before the heart.
"The princess...? Kairi's a princess?" he stared down at her in shock.
"Yes, and without her power, the Keyhole will remain incomplete. It is time she awakened."
"Whoever you are, let Riku go! Give him back his heart!" he snarled, baring his fangs, not that anyone but Donald and Goofy could see them.
"But first, you must give the princess back her heart," Riku smirked, pointing his Keyblade at Sora.
Sora gasped, clutching his chest as he fell to the floor, barely catching himself. It hurt! Something pulling in his heart…which was tied to his physical body now…
"Sora!" Donald yelled.
Sora coughed, trying to breath, managing to look up, confused, where was Goofy… Oh there he was, pounding on an invisible wall. "What's—" he slurred.
"Don't you see yet?" Riku's strange voice helped him focus, seeing his friends body walking towards them. "The princess's heart is responding. It has been there all along. Kairi's heart rests within you!"
"Kairi... Kairi's inside me?" he whispered, the pain fading, looking down at her unmoving body.
"I know all that there is to know."
"Tell me. Who are you?" he demanded, unable to get up yet.
Riku's body smiled and part of Sora wanted to laugh, he'd be so embarrassed to realise he was basically wearing a skirt, another sign that Riku wasn't in control. "It is I, Ansem, the seeker of darkness."
He walked toward Sora, prompting Donald to yell out and rush at him, but he simply knocked Donald past the barrier and moved on. Sora glanced over, relieved to see Donald scrambling up to bang on the wall before looking back at Ansem. He felt shaky but his strength was returning quickly. He stood over Sora, looking down with glee, and pointed his Keyblade toward him.
"So, I shall release you now, Princess. Complete the Keyhole with your power. Open the door, lead me into everlasting darkness!" With a mad look in his eye, Ansem lifted the Keyblade, about to strike.
Sora froze, staring into mad eyes, searching for any sign of Riku in there.
"Sora!"
Kairi? Sora blinked and then raised his Keyblade to block the strike. Ansem grit his teeth,
putting more pressure on the blade but Sora pushed to his feet, snarling. "Forget it! There's no way you're taking Kairi's heart!" He knocked Ansem's blade back and settled himself mentally for the fight.
"Come," Ansem taunted and Sora took those precious seconds to cast some defensive spells before launching himself at the enemy.
He knew that for this fight, he would have to worry less about protecting his secret and use everything he had. He had to save Riku!
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Riku watched as his body fought Sora, hearing the other teen actually snarl and hiss at him at various points of the fight which…wasn't like him, was it? Thinking about Sora was hard and that worried him…something…had changed his feelings? His memories? Ansem? Maybe…he and Sora hadn't been rivals and then enemies? He saw the searching look in blue eyes as their gazes locked, Sora trying to find something and obviously failing. Was he looking for Riku, for a sign he was still in his body somewhere?
He tried to think back to the Island, to go over everything, even as the fight continued. He found a sense of pride in how strong Sora had become…which wasn't right if they'd been rivals, was it? In giving into the Darkness…had he sacrificed more than he'd known? He…he… he had hurt his best friend, if he could, he would be gasping for air as it hit him. Yeah, they'd pushed each other, but it had been him who had turned things harsher, meaner, towards the end, not Sora.
Sora had stuck by him though, always grinning, even when there was pain in his eyes…just like the blue haired lady had asked him to. He'd all but forgotten her…and…the man who had shown him a Keyblade. It had been after them that they had seen the door in the Secret Place…that Riku had first heard the voice. The voice that had belonged to the hooded figure who had told him to let himself become Darkness. It…it had all been a plan, he'd been used…
Maleficent had been right, he hadn't been careful enough. She had warned him again and again, she really had cared about him in her own way. She had praised his successes, seen that he had what he needed or even wanted…and in those early days, when he'd been desperate to find Sora and Kairi, she had agreed that they could come to the castle. It was only when they had seen Sora with the Keyblade that she had changed that somewhat. He could see it now, they had been doing evil things, and yes, she had used him to do them, but she had also wanted him safe and healthy. And his possessed body had stabbed her in the heart to release the Darkness in her heart fully, to let it consume her.
Riku distantly felt the pain as one of Sora's strikes landed across his ribs but Ansem didn't seem bothered by the wound at all. He went in for a hit of his own as Sora was trying to move back and Riku knew…Sora couldn't dodge in time. No! for a split second he felt himself take control of his body, yanking his arm back, staring at Sora in horror.
"Riku?" Sora breathed, and Riku opened his mouth to respond.
"So" he was cut off as Ansem seized control back from him, Riku feeling the sneer form on his face.
TBC….
