Chapter 5: Unsettling Reunions
Riku took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his aquamarine eyes scanning the large, steel set of gates in front of them. "Well, we're here. Let's go find DiZ," he told the king, before placing a hand on the heavy, iron bars and pulled them open. Riku and King Mickey walked through the gates, down the long, broken path cemented into the ground. Surrounding the mansion were green shrubs, massive, pine trees and very tall, uneven grass that looked as though it hadn't been cut in awhile. As they approached the entrance, a tall, familiar figure cloaked in red and black stood with his back facing them.
Riku instantly recognized the red bandages wrapped around the man's head and scowled. He had decided awhile ago that he just did not like DiZ, and he didn't appreciate the fact that the man couldn't even face them to properly greet them. He'd been dreading this fated reunion since Yen Sid told them to meet him here. Riku had secretly hoped that the last he'd see of DiZ would've been the night he told DiZ he was taking the road to dawn. Unfortunately, he had been wrong. His scent overwhelmed Riku. It was filled with a sense of animosity and fury, intermingled with a hint of his own darkness, and damp with light grief. He couldn't feel sorry for him though. They all felt grief and anger in some way, and everyone had a little bit of darkness inside of them after all.
"It's about time you arrived," DiZ's voice chastised, deep and accented. "We've waited long enough. Time is of the essence. We must go to Sora, Donald and Goofy and have them moved to the mansion as soon as possible before the Organization discovers his and Naminé's whereabouts. If that were to happen-," DiZ was cut off by Riku's obvious irritation. The boy huffed, placing his hands on his hips. He wasn't about to keep his mouth shut any longer. He'd grown beyond exhausted of this old man's attitude.
"Yeah, we get that," Riku interrupted. "We're sorry we took so long to get here, okay? We had been searching for places to take Sora and the others and keep them safe and away from the Organization's clutches. We had no idea this mansion even truly existed until just recently, so don't go blaming us. We were just trying to do what's best for Sora," he spoke up, his voice harsh and loud, the annoyance more than evident in his tones. DiZ turned around, hands placed surreptitiously behind his back and stared at the silvery haired boy in front of him. Riku's brilliantly colored eyes pierced sharply through DiZ's one amber colored eye peering out from under the folds of his bloodred bandages, and he smirked at Riku, causing the youth to furrow his eyebrows and fold his arms across his chest. "Did I say something amusing?" Riku inquired, one thin silver eyebrow raising upward.
DiZ just laughed and shook his head. "Did you not tell me awhile ago that you were walking the road to dawn?"
"What?" Riku questioned, slightly taken aback, his eyebrow still raised suspiciously. He was getting tired of this man's riddles. "What does any of this have to do with me walking my own path? We're talking about getting Sora here safely so he can rest in peace while his memories are restored, right?"
DiZ continued his laughter and the shaking of his head, further building up the rage inside of Riku, who was bound and determined to suppress it. Why did DiZ bother him like this so much?
Maybe he's bothering you so much because he reminds you of yourself in ways. Came a familiar, taunting voice in Riku's head.
No! No way. I'm nothing like DiZ! Riku shouted back at the voice that seemed to have wrapped it's darkness around the depths of his mind.
But Riku, DiZ is warped by his own darkness just the same as you are. He's angry, his pride has been hurt, and he's out for revenge. Isn't that something you feel as well? Do you not feel anger?Rage? Hurt? Revenge? You no longer fear your own darkness, yet you fight to suppress it. Why? It is a part of you, after all. DiZ knows, Riku. He can see right through you. Your efforts to hide your darkness are in vain. You can't withhold the truth from DiZ. You can't hold me back for much longer. Riku. Embrace the darkness within you. Embrace the power I have for you. You would be able to rescue Sora if you fully unleash the dark power inside of your heart.
You're lying! Rescue Sora using darkness?! Are you kidding!? You're ridiculous! Get out of my head! Leave me alone! "Ugh," Riku crumpled to his knees, clutching one hand over his aching heart and another over his throbbing forehead and eyes. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Just give me a minute. I'm not feeling so good. Didn't sleep much."
"Didn't sleep much," DiZ retorted sardonically. "What a nice excuse for what you're truly trying to hide."
Riku's head jerked upward, his silvery-violet locks of hair flying back from his narrowed eyes and he glared DiZ down, panting lightly as he attempted to control the feelings that Ansem had managed to conjure up inside of him. Now more than ever, he couldn't give into the darkness. He had to get Sora here and know he was safe. Once he knew Sora to be safe from harm, then Riku could take his own journey and learn to find ways to control his darkness, but until then, Sora was top priority. Don't get mad, Riku... Just chill... DiZ is only trying to get under your skin... But why? Why is he trying to get under my skin? Why does it always seem like he's testing me or forcing me to make some stupid decision?
King Mickey cleared his throat loudly and stepped in front of Riku. He turned to face the boy for a moment, giving Riku a look of genuine concern and placed a hand on his shoulder, almost as though attempting to shield one from the other with his small body. Riku smiled weakly back and shook his head. Don't worry he mouthed to the king, and Mickey turned around, keeping himself placed in front of Riku, almost protectively. "DiZ. There's no time for all of this right now. Worry about Riku later," he stated, almost scolding the bandaged man in front of him and Riku was grateful for Mickey's words. "Let's go inside the mansion so we can discuss how we're going to bring Sora, Donald and Goofy safely here." Mickey's eyes searched the area in which they stood. "Something tells me we're being watched. Let's go inside. I'm sure you have a plan?"
"Indeed," DiZ nodded down toward the small King. "If you come inside, we can discuss it more." Riku slowly rose to his feet once more, gathering himself as DiZ turned and opened up the double set of doors to the entrance of the collosal, old manor. Mickey followed him inside and Riku followed the King. He stepped inside of what appeared to be the foyer of the mansion. The floor was a faded brown, tiled with stone. Broken tables, picture frames and various objects littered the floor, and it was clear that this old house hadn't been lived in for many years. The small rays of dusty light streaming through the large glass doors sitting at the very back wall of the foyer seemed to be the only source of light the mansion offered. It didn't seem to be too terrible of a place, and not at all haunted like Hayner, Pence and Olette claimed it to be. He wondered absentmindedly what kind of people may have lived here before and what happened to them.
"Naminé will be meeting us here shortly. We plan to use her means of travel. The Dark Portal," DiZ added on, eyeing Riku once more giving the youth another unsettling sensation. DiZ turned and walked up a flight a steps, with Riku and King Mickey following closely behind. They moved down a long, dark corridor, lined with an old banister, before they found themselves in front of a set of red, cedarwood doors outlined and etched in elegant, gold designing. He opened up the large, double doors to reveal a room that appeared to be a library at first glance, but there was a massive, square-shaped hole in the floor of the library. There were a set of grey, stone steps leading down into what Riku presumed was a basement due to the pipe work and machinery that lined the walls. They walked past a door that had been blocked off with broken piping, but there was a dark, open doorway that DiZ walked into, without a word. Reluctantly, Riku followed DiZ and King Mickey inside.
The room was much darker than the entrance to the basement, but inside, the wall was lined with a massive computer system, adorned with about fifteen different, various sized and shaped screens. It was the oddest computer set-up Riku had ever seen, and he captured a glimpse of his reflection in one of the larger screens. He studied his eyes for a moment, but nothing about them seemed out of the ordinary, as he still couldn't help but wonder what King Mickey had meant when he mentioned Riku's eyes. They followed DiZ into yet another room, which was much brighter than the computer room and the basement hall. Lined up alongside the walls on a conveyor belt system were empty pods very similar to what Sora, Donald and Goofy were sleeping inside back at Castle Oblivion.
"Naminé will arrive via the dark portal here," DiZ's announcing voice tore Riku from his thoughts. He walked toward what appeared to be a broken down conveyer system that seemed to be coming out of one of the walls. "We have a sort of conveyor belt that can attach within the portal and on the other side are where Sora, Donald and Goofy sleep within their dreaming pods. Naminé will activate the conveyor belt from Castle Oblivion on the other side of the portal. It will remain attached to the one here. She will see to it that Sora, Donald and Goofy go through first and then she will follow them through here to make sure they have safely arrived," DiZ explained, as King Mickey and Riku listened intently.
"I, myself will be waiting here for Sora, Donald and Goofy's arrival. This is also where Donald and Goofy will be sleeping while their memories are restored." He pointed toward a door at the end of the room. "Inside of there is where we will keep Sora. He will be sleeping safely inside of here, where no one can get to him. He will be well protected. This room also leads to Naminé's room, which will be The White Room in the mansion. Here, the memory witch will use her mysterious power to link Sora's memories back together so he can awaken once more." DiZ turned toward Riku and the King, folding his arms comfortably across his chest.
Mickey nodded his head in affirmation. "We're ready for whatever it is we need to do," King Mickey assured Diz, but Riku wasn't so sure. He was excited at the prospect that Sora would be here soon and out of Castle Oblivion, but the anxiety rose in him higher than ever, causing his heart to pound rapidly against his rib cage. He wasn't sure if he was ready to see Sora. Once Naminé got here along with them, goodness only knew how long it could be before Sora would wake up. Riku was unsure if he were truly ready to face Sora after all that had happened, and all that was still happening within his own heart.
"King Mickey," DiZ addressed the mouse. "You can assist me with the conveyor system. We need to activate it from our side. It won't be difficult to do and should only take a few minutes. Naminé will be arriving here within the next few moments, so we need to be ready. Riku, you can go through the Dark Portal with Naminé and assist her in getting Sora and the others here to safety," DiZ instructed, but Riku had other ideas.
He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, but I can't go through another one of those portals. They're just, no. Look, you guys don't need me-," the blue-green eyed teen stammered, but the swishing sound followed by a reeking scent and dark vapors filled Riku's senses and a familiar, pale, very blonde girl, with vibrant violet eyes and a small, white tank dress stepped out of the portal. Naminé walked into the room as the portal disappeared from behind her.
"Naminé. Right on schedule," DiZ stated matter-of-factly and Riku assumed this was just the old man's way of greeting people. Still, Naminé's arrival didn't relieve the unsettled feeling in his heart. More than anything he wanted to get out of there and fast. Something inside of him was stirring, and Riku didn't like the feeling it was giving him.
"Yes," the blonde haired girl nodded. She turned toward Riku, titled her head lightly and smiled at him. "We meet again."
"Y-yeah," Riku replied nervously, casting his eyes downard. Her face, it was still identical to Kairi's, even her eyes, but the shade and length of her hair so much lighter and longer, even the pigmentation of her skin was more pale than Kairi's. Still, just seeing her made him miss Kairi so much that the aching in his heart became ever more prominent. He would never let Kairi see him like this, and now this girl who looked just like Kairi could see his darkness. That wasn't okay. At all. He had to go somewhere out of this mansion. Somewhere quiet so he could focus on conquering his darkness before Sora woke up and so this Kairi look-alike couldn't see him like this either.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. You guys got this." Riku turned on his heel to quickly leave the mansion, but he felt a small hand grasp at his arm. Riku peered over his shoulder to see Naminé looking at him, her eyes worried and his heart lept in his chest, which confused Riku. He wasn't sure why his heart felt the way it did when her small hand grabbed his arm. Maybe it was his old feelings for Kairi resurfacing, but Riku had told himself while he was trapped in the Realm of Darkness that even though he had feelings of unrequited love for Kairi, she belonged with Sora, and he would never jeopardize that.
"Riku?" her soft voice spoke his name, and her hand squeezed a bit tighter, but he tugged his arm away from Naminé's grasp, trying not to appear rude to the girl. Naminé stepped back a step and placed her hand against her chest, blonde eyebrows furrowing upward. Riku could tell she wasn't offended by his maneuver, but that she was more concerned for him than anything.
"I'm fine. I just... I gotta go. I'm sorry. I know you guys will get Sora and the others back here safely. I have faith in that." He tried to give them one of his signature, confident grins, but Riku knew he had failed and he looked to see King Mickey standing there, looking up at Riku just as concerned as what Naminé looked. "I promise I am. I'm just... I'm not ready for this. That's all. You guys take care of things topside. I need to take care of some... other things. I'll be back soon. I promise," he added before he hurriedly swept out of the room, running down the hall past the sleep pods.
Riku felt like this manor was doing nothing but suffocating him now, like he couldn't breathe or think clearly. Everything was a massive blur, and he needed to get away from people feeling sorry for him. He couldn't handle it, because he didn't deserve it. Riku took a flying leap upward and bypassed the stairs of the basement halls, landing on the floor of the library and rushed out the double doors, closing them behind him. Ansem's voice began laughing in his head as the squeezing sensation took over his heart once more, and Riku ran faster down the dark corridor of the mansion, down the flight of stairs, through the foyer and out the doors. He took in a breath of fresh air, but that didn't quell the loud voice ringing in his ears, the voice of the being that had clenched it's cold, dark fist around the silver haired boy's heart. He raced down the sidewalk, out of the gates, slamming them closed behind him.
Riku didn't stop running as he reached the woods, hoping that maybe if he ran long enough the voice in his head would stop. Was he going completely crazy? Riku slowed his aching legs to a halt as he reached the hole that would lead him back into Twilight Town, gasping for breath as though he'd just sprinted a marathon, but it wasn't the run that tired him out. Not at all. The days he and Sora spent racing on Destiny Islands had kept the boy in shape. It was the darkness growing heavier inside of him. Riku pulled his coat hood up over his head, securing it tightly so his face couldn't be seen. He didn't want to chance running into anyone, like Hayner, Pence or Olette. He didn't honestly think or feel like he could open his mouth to say a word to anyone or he just might lose it completely in ways that Riku never wanted anyone to see. He climbed through the hole and found himself standing in the familiarty of the town once more.
It must be nearing night time now, Riku thought to himself, because the town wasn't nearly as busy and bustly as it had been earlier upon he and King Mickey's arrival. It appeared as though owners were closing up shops and the few people on the streets seemed to be leaving the main part of town. Riku waited patiently for the trolly to stop by and decided to hop on it. He watched the signs as the town's train rolled past them on it's noisy rails, and noticed the streets of Twilight Town becoming more and more quiet. He peered at a sign with a faded label reading the words Sunset Hill. Maybe this would be a quiet, private place where Riku could collect his thoughts and control the sensations he could feel building up within him.
Wishing the trolly could go just a bit faster, Riku sat bouncing his leg impatiently, when finally it arrived at a steep walk, leading to a hill. Riku figured this could only be Sunset Hill and so he hopped off, making an ascent up the winding walkway, a long brown, wooden picket fence lining it. Riku found himself standing on a flat-top hill with the same wooden picket fence surrounding the small area. Not a single person could be seen and he was a ways away from the town. And so he succumbed, pulling back his hood and going to his knees, clasping at the overwhelming loudness of the condescending laughter that was Ansem in his head.
What's wrong, Riku? Sora's going to be back at the mansion soon safe and sound. I thought you wanted to be there to supervise his return?
"JUST SHUT UP!" the teen yelled, unable to contain his voice anymore, his gloved fingers digging into his scalp. "LEAVE ME ALONE! I CAN'T HANDLE THIS ANYMORE! WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS TORMENTING ME!"
Oh, I see. This is your way of ignoring my question. I understand now. You can't face Sora, can you Riku? The darkness within you is stronger than ever, and you're doing all you can to hold me back. You don't want to hurt Sora again, do you? You can't face your own shame of allowing the darkness to take over you. You shouldn't feel shame, Riku. You gave in to the darkness. It's a part of you.
"BUT I DO! I do feel shame... I...," his voice broke as he clenched his teeth, admitting what was truly in his heart to absolutely nobody except the darkness that was Ansem still clawing at him from the inside.
You fear that Sora won't want to be friends with you after he awakens, right Riku? That you will lose your best friend? You're afraid to face him because you don't want him to see what you've become, and what you'll continue to become. You don't want to face him after all the horrible, evil, terrible, dark things you did to him.
"NO! That wasn't... that wasn't me! That was YOU! That was your influence! You took over my body! You hurt Sora! I didn't... I couldn't...," but Riku knew he was lying to himself, and apparently so did Ansem as his laughter took over once more shaking Riku to his core.
Don't lie to yourself, Riku. You know Sora will resent you for all of the horrible things you did to him. He'll be furious with you, and you... you will be left all alone once again. However, if you come with me and let me in, you'll never be alone again. Allow my darkness and your darkness to consume you, so that you may never feel fear or loneliness ever again.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Riku bellowed furiously, leaping to his feet and before he knew it, he was unleashing a powerful burst of dark energy from both of his hands, finally letting go of the dark power that had nearly revealed itself on the train to King Mickey, and he was grateful the King wasn't here now to see this side of him.
That's right! Feel the dark power flowing through your body! Release that built up darkness, Riku! LET IT CONSUME YOU!
The energy flew upward and descended hard around him, slamming into the ground, sparking into massive balls of black and purple light before dissolving into pools of darkness around him. Riku clutched at his chest, breathing heavily, feeling the sweat building on his brow, but the voice in his head had quieted into a echo and then there was nothing. The boy walked toward the picket fence, and leaned forward, his hands grasping hard onto the wood and allowed his head to hang, silvery violet strands of hair falling into his face as he squeezed his tired eyes closed as tight as he could possibly get them, trying to ignore the throbbing in his head, the pain in his own heart. Maybe Ansem was right. He lifted his head, opening his aquamarine eyes and stared out into the sunset, feeling a slight, cool breeze rustle past, drying the sweat on his face. Riku was grateful he was out here and alone, so nobody could see the state of disarray he had found himself in. "What'll become of me...?" he wondered aloud, voice sounding pathetically small, but the only reply he received was a gust of wind.
Hours later, and Ansem quieted down now, Riku made his way back through town on foot, not even bothering to take the train. He figured he should go back to the mansion and check on Sora, Donald and Goofy, just to make sure that their transport from Castle Oblivion to the Mansion went smoothly. Too soon, he found himself climbing back through the hole and walking through the small forest that led him straight to the old manor. The exhaustion was creeping up on Riku now, but it wasn't physical. It was mental. Too much had happened that was too close for comfort, and for now, while he was subdued, he could at least check on his sleeping best friend. Riku walked almost blindly, but his body seemed to be leading him toward his destination. His mind was drained, his emotions were hanging on by a thread, but he continued to put one foot in front of the other.
"Riku!" a voice shouted at the boy which jerked him back to reality and out of his stupor. He realized now that he had arrived at the iron gates, which were wide open, and King Mickey was standing in front of them. He rushed toward the silvery violet haired boy who lowered himself to his knee. "Where on earth did you go? I was just about to come looking for ya!"
"I'm sorry, Mickey," Riku replied, his voice sounding drained. "I had some things that I needed to take care of. Are Sora and the others here safely now?"
Mickey nodded his head. "Yes! They're inside and DiZ has them well protected. Naminé is here too and she's settled into her room with her sketchpad and crayons. She set to work right away. DiZ was somewhat hard on her," Mickey added with a sad sounding sigh. "DiZ doesn't hold much regard for Nobodies." He looked back over to Riku and placed a large, gloved hand on the teen's shoulder. "Riku, as much as I hate to do this, we have to part ways now."
"What? Why? Where are you going?" Riku began a plethora of questioning, and then realizing how ridiculously childish he sounded, he blushed. "I apologize Your Majesty."
"It's okay, Riku. I just have some work to do and some things I need to look into, but they are things that I must do on my own. I'm sorry, Riku, but you will be safe here at the mansion with DiZ and Naminé. I promise I'll come back and we'll continue walking that road to dawn together," he gave Riku a reassuring smile. "Don't give up, Riku, and don't forget that no matter how deep your darkness is, there's always a little bit of light." Mickey closed his eyes and held out his hands, where a ball of light appeared and floated, finding it's way toward Riku's chest and it disappeared inside of him, into his heart.
The young man could feel the warmth of the King's light filling him up inside. and he placed his hands over his chest, lowering his head and closing his eyes. He was grateful for this, as he knew it would subdue Ansem's darkness for longer. "I won't. Thank you, Mickey." Before Riku knew what was happening, Mickey jumped up and threw his arm around the youth's neck, embracing him tightly. Riku was stunned at first, unsure of what to do, but he relaxed and hugged the small King back as best as he could, feeling almost comforted by the mouse's embrace.
"Sometimes all we need is just a hug from friend to help us feel a bit better and keep moving forward," Mickey smiled as he pulled back from the boy. "I promise I will be back." Riku bid his farewells and watched as King Mickey disappeared into the darkness of the woods. He sighed walked through the gates, to the entrance and opened up the front doors to the mansion, letting himself inside. He felt uneasy at the prospect of Mickey leaving, but he understood and why and didn't fault him. After all, the King had left him with some light in his heart. Riku knew he could always reach out to the King anytime he needed him, but he would have to stop that soon and fight this on his own, and fight he would. Riku walked up the stairs and into the library, finding himself in the basement hall, where DiZ stood, appearing as though he were waiting for Riku's return.
"So, I see you've come back after your little outburst," DiZ said, his voice oddly calm and not condescending. "I understand why you left, Riku," he added, his tone softening a little. "I'm sure you want to see Sora?"
"First, I want you to explain something to me," Riku stated, his voice stronger now. "I want know what you meant when we first arrived here at the mansion. You said to me that you thought I was walking the road to dawn. I want to know what you meant by that."
DiZ stared seriously into Riku's eyes with his own eye, non-blinking, unyielding. "You are letting the darkness get to you, Riku. You cannot hide it from me, and I can see it building inside of you. Your eyes are the windows to your heart, and your eyes cannot hide what's in your heart. Soon, everyone will see. The darkness seeps from you like sap seeps from a tree. Nobody has ever worn darkness the way you do," DiZ explained, not holding back, not sugar coating a single word, but leaving a rather confused Riku. He walked past the blue-green eyed youth, giving him a glance. "You are welcome to stay and reside here at the manor for as long as you need to. There is a room upstairs to the left of here at the far end of the hall. You make take that room as your own. I'm going in to town. I will be back later."
Riku watched the older man before him, unable to find the right words to respond with, or if he did they would just slip through his thoughts before he could pin them down and voice them. DiZ made his up the stairs and swept out of the library, a heavy thud echoing the room as the doors slammed shut behind him. Riku dropped onto the stairs, resting his forehead on his knees. DiZ's words echoed redundantly through his mind. What had this bandaged man meant exactly, and why did it seem as though he were never clear or specific on the things he would say to him? Riku didn't notice the small form of Naminé as she stood silently at the dark doorway leading to DiZ's computer room, her small hands clutching the door frame. She had watched Riku collapse onto the stairs, mentally drained from the consistent challenges he had faced.
"Nobody has ever worn darkness the way you do," Riku repeated DiZ's words, knowing that deep in his heart, he knew what DiZ meant by them. Maybe it was his own denial that was making him refuse to understand it, or maybe he just wasn't ready to accept it, and Riku wasn't sure if he could ever be ready to accept it.