Disclaimer: not mine

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Chapter 11

"Are you okay?"

Sora looked up as Riku walked in, looking at him in concern. He could understand that, he had to look horrible with how little sleep he'd gotten since they'd found out Selphie had been taken. Most of them were running on too little sleep at the moment and that was dangerous, but they had to find her.

"I will be," was all he could say.

Riku walked over and sat beside him, taking the book from him. "Looking for good base locations?" he asked after a moment skimming the contents.

"Yeah, we don't know where they are since they abandoned The Castle That Never Was."

"I'll go through this, you take a break," Riku ordered, and Sora couldn't help smiling.

"Alright," he agreed, leaning back in the couch. He never even realised it as he fell asleep, not stirring when Riku settled a throw over him.

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Riku was worried about all the searchers, Sora and Mickey especially since he knew them best. They were all wearing themselves thin and that was dangerous, the Organisation wouldn't give Selphie up without a fight after all. But he was firmly grounded by Yen Sid – he said it was to keep the other Riku from learning of him but Riku suspected it was because he didn't trust him thanks to the Darkness. If they were anything alike, he was glad he hadn't met his world's Yen Sid and worried that Sora had.

He wanted to do more to help but he didn't know what he could do without the ability to travel. He was working on either using Dark or Light methods, but Terra had mentioned maybe they couldn't use either because they weren't firmly enough aligned with either side. Riku really hoped he was wrong.

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Riku stroked Selphie's cheek but she didn't even flinch, not even when he kissed her. She didn't try to resist or fight, just lying there, letting him do whatever he wished to her body. He wasn't sure if he liked it better when she fought or now that she didn't. The Guardians might have that fake version of him, but now he'd taken Selphie from them. Even if they got her back, she would be useless, unless that ex-Master they all followed around like puppies could fix her with magic or something.

He knew Xehanort planned to give her back to them, but if his plans came true then there'd be no reason for him to give her up. He wanted to keep her to himself for a little longer but it wouldn't be much longer until he was called back and he would have to obey. He hated being forced to obey that crazy old man but he couldn't fight the piece of his Heart inside of him. He knew what it would do to him, had seen it with Saïx, the Nobody didn't have an individual thought left in his head. It'd take longer for Riku because he still had his own Heart, but it'd happen eventually.

Master Xehanort had praised his ingenuity several times, but this time Riku would use it to get what he wanted even against his wishes. Sora would die in despair as that fake thing they dared to call by his name turned on him.

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"How is Riku handling being left behind?" Terra asked, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings. They were running out of places to search and with no sign.

"He's not happy with it," Mickey admitted. "I'm going to bring him from now on, no matter what the Master says. Sitting around researching isn't doing him any good. And he's more attuned to Darkness than any of us, he might notice something we've missed."

Terra nodded, he agreed with Mickey but his voice didn't hold much weight. He wasn't a Master, he had failed his exam and then fallen into Xehanort's trap, had been taken over by him. And even now he was free, he was still touched by Darkness. He knew Yen Sid would prefer he never become a Master as he was now. But while he was the oldest, he was only one voice. Aqua might follow his and their old Master's teachings blindly but Mickey and Sora didn't. Ventus wouldn't either once he passed the exam, though he had a feeling Selphie would be like Aqua.

"They won't kill her, not when Xehanort needs seven of us for his plans and no one can find the Seventh Princess," Terra pointed out gently.

"But there is a lot of wiggle room in alive," Mickey grimaced. "I do wonder…Riku said Kairi was one of the Princesses and that here she sacrificed himself to save Radiant Garden. Maybe the reason no one can find the seventh is because there is no seventh now. What if her sacrifice took everything, including the Light of the Princess' pure Heart?"

"Well…that would be a good thing for us since it limits Xehanort's options. But it could also be dangerous in the future." Unless it was something that could recover?

"Well, we're done here. Let's head back and see if Riku's found anything in the books and give him the news." Mickey opened a portal and they stepped through.

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Mickey watched Sora and Riku together, seeing the way they leant over the book, sitting so close…was he seeing what he thought he was? He wanted Sora to find happiness but with a younger version of his one-time best friend who was from another dimension? Surely it could only end in heartbreak, unless Riku chose to remain or they failed to find a way to get him home. Riku had asked about that in quite a while now…because he wanted to help them beat Xehanort first? Or because he was finding reasons to stay?

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Riku collapsed on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was such an idiot! What was he doing? It was one thing to give up on finding a way home for now to help them fight, to find Selphie, but this? Ugh. And it was so weird, he'd lived around Sora his whole life and never felt like this for him, so why did he want to be…close to this Sora? They weren't the same person, their lives had diverged a lot from the fights at Hollow Bastion, so what drew him to Sora?

It was silly, neither Sora would ever look at him that way. The younger because he was head over heels for Kairi and this one…how could he when Riku looked so much like the person who had hurt him so very badly over the years? It was a good thing he was used to fading into the shadows, watching others live happily from a distance, maybe that was always meant to be his fate.

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Donald watched the two spar, tapping his foot. He didn't like this so-called other dimensional version of Riku. He didn't trust him at all. It was too convenient to have this boy just appear from nowhere and be their ally. There was Darkness in him, not as much as their enemies, but still way too much for Donald to be comfortable with. He didn't like Sora being near him.

Daisy and Minnie both liked him, they'd spent more time with him since he was living in the Castle. The Queen was not easily fooled, she used the Light herself, and the Cornerstone didn't seem to bother him. But Donald just didn't like him…and he didn't like what he was seeing from Sora lately when around him either.

Sora was laughing even as he hit the ground, the silver haired teen straddling him, Keyblade at his throat. Sora should be fighting back but instead he was relaxed, open and trusting, asking to be betrayed again. And then pale skin flushed red, Riku rolling off of Sora and back to his feet, offering his hand to Sora. It looked real, but Donald couldn't trust it, not fully, especially with Selphie missing. She'd argued with him and then vanished after all. Part of him wanted it to be real, for Sora's sake, but he had to keep a clear head. He would have left the boy's Keyblade sealed; he'd had access to his magic after all. But no one had asked Donald.

And maybe…he was focusing on the boy rather than blaming himself because they hadn't been there when Selphie was taken. They should have been with her; they were meant to keep her safe while she kept training for her exam. Sora didn't need them all the time, he'd become a strong Master and excellent fighter. If they'd been with Selphie, surely they could have saved her.

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She was lying down…wasn't she? Where was she? Everything felt distant, unreal. A hand traced down her body, cool air on her skin, nice…it was nice…lips pressed to hers and she smiled. Sora…it had to be Sora…finally. His hand moved lower and lower and she arched into his touch, this was what she'd wanted. Her body felt heavy, disconnected, sore… they must have gone home, yes, and now Sora was with her.

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Riku pulled back from the kiss, seeing the small smile on her lips and vacant look in her eyes, she was seeing something else rather than reality. Did she imagine he was Sora? She'd retreated from reality to become lost in her own world. Well, let her enjoy her imaginary lover, he didn't care. Would it hurt Sora to be told she thought the one using her was Sora making love to her? He took his time with her, enjoying the soft moans and sighs, the way her body reacted to him.

Sadly, there time for now was almost up, it was time to make sure Sora came and brought the imposter. Then he would have his revenge.

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Riku stepped onto the sand behind Sora, looking around. He'd been unconscious the last time he'd been there after all. It felt like home but also not. He was glad that Micky had decided to ignore Yen Sid's orders for Riku to be kept on research, the King was going to come with them but an emergency had come up. As it was, the signature was probably too degraded for Riku to pick up anything now, but it was better to try then do nothing.

He walked across the sand, enjoying the feel of the sun on his skin, even as he stretched out his senses, searching for hints of unnatural Darkness. Though the Destiny Islands, at least his version, had little natural Darkness. There'd been a bit more after they were restored but still not as much as many other Worlds.

"It was here," Sora stayed back a bit but indicated the stretch of beach just in front of the shack.

Riku nodded and moved closer, searching…there! The tiniest trace of a scent but it was there. He closed his eyes, focusing, there was something more to the scent, something…and then he turned away gagging, tripping over his own feet. Arms wrapped around him and he barely kept from lashing out, recognising the familiar presence just in time, going limp instead.

"Riku? Riku talk to me," Sora's voice reached him, and he lifted his hands, clutching at Sora's sleeves.

"He has her," he gasped out.

Sora manoeuvred them down to the ground, holding him. "Easy. I'm sorry, we shouldn't have asked you to do this," he murmured.

Riku twisted around to look at him. "Needed to know," he forced the words out.

"It's okay," Sora tugged him back in, and Riku soaked up the contact, letting himself take the comfort.

"He's so…I never…"

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"Shh," Sora soothed, he didn't need Riku to say it, his reaction made it obvious. Their Riku had taken Selphie.

He hated to say or think it but he knew at least Master Yen Sid had…Riku was mad. He hadn't been, back at Hollow Bastion, or even their first few clashes after that, but it had been growing even before Xehanort got his hands on him. What had caused it? There was no sign of any mental instability in Riku, so it probably wasn't genetic? It couldn't be, he couldn't lose him too.

"So much Darkness," Riku whispered, shuddering.

They should never have gotten Riku involved in their war. He'd been through so much already, had a war waiting for him back home and they just had to drag him into theirs, where his older self was their enemy.

"I'm sorry. I'm going to take you back to the castle," he murmured, but Riku shook his head. "Riku…"

"I'm sorry," he sat up, pulling away, wiping his eyes. "I've never smelt…" he took a deep breath. "It's him, the other Riku. I've smelt that before, just…never so strong."

"Before?" Sora asked, confused.

"At Castle Oblivion," Riku wouldn't make eye contact. "Ansem appeared, trying to talk me back, I turned him down. He did something, he called it tempering the remaining Darkness in my Heart, all I knew was it hurt. Afterwards the smell of Darkness…took me a while to realise it was coming from me."

"But not anymore, his sins aren't yours Riku," Sora swore.

Riku flinched slightly but then nodded.

"Everyone will see it in time."

"Even Selphie?" Riku grimaced but then got to his feet. "The trail's almost gone, if we're going to track it, we need to go now."

Sora nodded, pulling out his phone to let the others know. They headed further up the beach and both stopped as they reached the Secret Place. "Trap?" he asked warily.

"Trap," Riku agreed but ducked into the tunnel.

The door was long gone, thankfully but in its place was more lingering Darkness, a crack between Worlds. They summoned their Keyblades and Sora felt Riku's magic reach out to him, smiling at the protection he offered from the Darkness.

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Riku smirked, they'd taken the bait. Good. He turned to Selphie and kissed her hard enough to bruise. He left her chained to the wall naked, the evidence of everything she'd been through clear on her body. He'd only healed her enough to keep her healthy, she would bare the scars from the Organisations questioning and his attention for life now. Seeing that should throw Sora off nicely, distract him.

He was curious to see the fake him. How accurate was it? Obviously, the personality had been changed but how much? And what exactly was it, a Replica or something else?

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Riku led the way through the Darkness, using his own to shield Sora. Yes, his clothes had some protection but these Guardians weren't used to travelling through the Darkness. He was out of the habit but since the exam it was easier to deal with, to take it in and turn it to Light, to keep himself balanced. The trail wasn't straightforward but it wasn't hidden enough, they were being led and he didn't like that. He knew how he'd enjoyed messing with Sora when he'd been under Maleficent and Ansem's thumbs, which meant this Riku likely enjoyed it as much or even more. Which meant this was definitely a trap but they had no choice but to spring it, hopefully he was only expecting Sora or the others and not Riku.

Did Selphie know how to resist torture? Had she been tortured? They had plenty of potions and the like with them, hopefully she'd be able to help in her own escape.

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Aqua frowned at her phone, she didn't like this at all. Sora should never have gone off alone with that Riku. How could he trust any version of the boy who had nearly killed him? And what he'd been teaching Terra… she opened a portal to the Islands but there was no sign of them anywhere. She quickly called the others and soon they were all there, Mickey bringing Terra who managed to track them as far as the cave but then all sign disappeared.

"What now?" Ven asked.

"We wait, Sora and Riku can look after themselves," Mickey answered.

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"Selphie," Sora gasped as they emerged in the dimly lit room. He didn't even think, rushing towards her, only for bars to slam down between them.

"Sora!" Riku yelled, and Sora spun to see they'd been separated as well.

Damn it, he'd been so stupid! He looked them over but there was no door or lock that he could see, but of course there wouldn't be when their quarry knew the Keyblades capabilities. And then he coughed, covering his mouth and nose…gas! "Riku go!" The Corridor was behind him but Riku glanced back and shook his head, it'd shut.

Riku started coughing as well as the gas spread, reaching through the bars to him and Sora stumbled over, the room beginning to spin. His fingers brushed Riku's and then he was falling to the ground, barely able to breath, vision swimming.

He couldn't move, could barely breath, and then black boots appeared. Sora couldn't do anything as hands wrapped around his wrists, hauling him up, his body limp, head hanging. He was pressed against the bars, the cold seeping through his clothes even as manacles locked around his wrists, his magic fading into him. His captor stepped back and he made out familiar long silver hair and cold gold eyes even with how everything was spinning.

"I knew you'd come idiot," the voice was cold and harsh, and it hurt. "And you brought your new toy too, how thoughtful."

No…Riku…he saw the trap now and felt sick. He'd brought Riku right to the one person who'd want him dead.

His head was clearing which was good but with the manacles sealing his magic he was trapped; besides that, he hadn't regained control of his body yet. He would be able to summon his Keyblade but there was no way to aim it at the manacles. He saw Riku walk to where Riku was lying but…Riku was stirring, he mustn't have gotten as strong a dose or something.

"Nnnooo," Sora slurred as Riku was yanked up by his hair.

"So, what is it?" Riku asked, golden eyes roving over Riku's limp body. "A Replica…no, not one of those."

Riku weakly batted at the older version, still too weak to make a real effort.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt either of you."

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Riku didn't find that at all comforting, pain creaming through his body from the grip on his hair. The one time he wished he still wore it long, to take some of the pressure off. Whatever that gas had been had left him weak as a kitten, struggling to focus. Sora seemed even worse off and now he was chained up.

Staring dizzily at the local version of him, he felt so sick. So much Darkness…he felt like the others at the exam but somehow wilder. Something...he was mad, insane…he'd seen that manic look before while travelling alone. It never ended well for someone. He reached for his magic, for anything to fight back with but he couldn't focus enough.

"You see, Xehanort has forbidden me killing you Sora. He left out trapping you though. And now, I don't have to kill you," the other Riku smirked at him, and Riku realised he wanted him to do it.

Never! He'd never hurt Sora. He really was insane to think Riku would. But the look on the older face…and then he lifted a hand wreathed in pure Darkness.

"I don't know what you are, fake. But soon you'll know, everything he's done to deserve this. They wanted another me, they'll get it. And then you'll understand why he has to die; you'll be eager to do it."

"No!" he snarled weakly, trying to fight the hold the other had on him.

And then he screamed as the hand plunged through his chest, choking on overwhelming Darkness.

"RIKU!" the scream of terror was the last thing he heard.

TBC…

So this last bit and what's to come was the whole start of this idea. It's hard writing two Riku's in the same scene.