A.N. With the end of this story approaching, it seems fair to warn fans that after I do a edit/rewrite of this fic to fix certain grammar errors and put more depth into certain scenes, I will be at work on a sequel. The reason I am warning you is not because it will be another M rated fic, which it will, but because it promises to be a crossover and will therefore be harder to find. This fic will feature both popular and obscure worlds- confirmations are already set on Naruto, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, and Tegami Bachi, though other worlds may appear on the list as a plot develops. The plot btw: After the events of "Bait," the characters from the Kingdom Hearts universe discover another rift- and this one leads to strange new worlds. Both allies and opponents decide to use this rift to enlist some new and unusual help for the upcoming war, at the same time aiding these worlds with their own problems. No suggestions for the sequel please, I would be able to ensure authenticity better if I only use stories I know. Ok, I've held you up long enough, enjoy!
Bait, Chapter 18.
The replica had a keyblade in his hand. HIS keyblade, Riku realized in shock. Where did he get it? There was no need for it though, as Xigbar either lost interest in his quarry, or had realized the battle was lost against the iron will of the Riku Replica. It didn't stop him from shooting them his nastiest smile before he teleported out.
"Come with me, there's something I want to show you!" The replica had said this more as a warning than a request, as he grabbed Riku by his arm and pulled him into a dark corridor that appeared behind them.
They reappeared on a sunlit beach, the smell of saltwater and the crash of waves assaulted Riku's senses. He immediately knew where they were.
"This is our Island!" He exclaimed. "How did you find out about it?"
There was no answer. He turned around to find that the replica had gone into the water and was now waist-deep in the surf. He rushed to him, and was quickly amazed to find that his pain and weariness seemed to wash away with every step in the water.
"The ocean, it has a revitalizing quality to it, doesn't it?" The replica asked him.
"How did you find out about our home?" Riku asked.
"I was created from your memories, though they were incomplete and fragmented. I guess those memories were repaired when I took refuge in your heart."
"Refuge?"
The replica looked down, as though a painful memory had surfaced.
"When Xigbar murdered me, my body died, but my heart lived on. But it too would die if it didn't find a body to nurture it. It naturally sought out the purest soul it could find, which happened to be the very same soul of my...origin."
The replica was smiling. It was the first time Riku had seen him wearing a genuine smile.
"It says a lot about the Organization if my soul was the purest one you could find."
The smile quickly faded from the replica's face.
"You are too hard on yourself, do you realize that?"
Riku said nothing, he just stared down into the water. Little fish darted around his legs. He didn't feel that way. He had hardly been what you would call a "pure soul," he had betrayed his friends, given in to darkness, hell, his will was too weak to even resist Xigbar's violation of his own body mere weeks ago. He'd been having that same nightmare about it ever since.
"I know what's going through your mind. You keep going over every mistake you've ever made, don't you?"
"Those weren't mistakes..."
"Yes they were. Weakness, be it of body, mind, OR will is a very human trait that nobody is immune to. You can strengthen any one of these traits with practice. And well, mistakes are common when you practice. Wisdom comes out when you recognize a mistake and try not to repeat it. And I know you never repeated any of your mistakes, I do have your memories after all!"
No answer came from the other boy.
"Please, I know how rough you've had it, but don't give up now! Sora's your best friend, you're the closest thing to a brother Kairi ever had! They need you! They can't have you getting lost in flashbacks when they need your strength in combat."
"I would never abandon them! Never again!" The replica's smile returned at Riku's new found defiance.
"Then let them be your driving force. And if you ever need someone who understands you better than even them, I'll be waiting right here. Remember when you acted as a Dream Eater for Sora, well, i can be yours!"
That was when Riku got a good look at the clothes the replica now wore. They were the same ones he wore in the sleeping worlds, every detail an exact copy from the dream eater insignia on his back to the yellow and grey details on his shoes. The replica obviously saw Riku as enough of a role model to want to take on his whole look, not just his face and body.
"That sounds like...a good trade-off." Riku shot the replica a sly grin. "Since you've decided to make my heart your new home, that can be how you pay me." The replica just chuckled in response.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you..." Riku said quietly. The Replica just walked up to him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"But you did, you freed me from the hellish existence the Organization had subjected me to, you gave me an identity, and you have given my heart shelter." The Replica grinned, looking remarkably like Sora when he did. Riku couldn't help but laugh at how out of place the smile looked on his own face.
He turned around, still beaming, and said one final phrase:
"I am finally at peace, and you played a big part in it."
End of Chapter 18.