In Twilight Town, Riku stood before the others in the Usual Place, having just finished informing them of the Riku Replica's return. Ven, Kairi, and Xenix seemed confused by the news but Terra and Axel seemed to understand what he meant.
"So, there's another you running around?" Ven asked.
"A copy of me. Not unlike the Neo-Beings we dealt with a week ago only in this case, he's made out of memories, not data." Riku replied, arms crossed over his chest, a look of consternation on his face.
"Yeah and not the happy-go-lucky, adopting-a-stray-kitten kind of memories either." Axel chimed in, remembering his own history with the Riku Replica.
"If memory serves, he was a formidable foe. Powerful. When I defeated him, it looked like he was defeated for good but there were still some parts of him that remained. When we set Sora up in the pod in the room beneath the mansion to begin restoring his memories, Ansem had me retrieve the remains of the Replica so he could study them. We stored his remains in a secret compartment in the wall of the pod room. I never thought he could've returned from the dead." Riku said as Terra furrowed his brow.
"What could've triggered it? What could've happened for him to suddenly return like this?" Terra asked as Riku glanced away.
"My bet is that Namine had something to do with it. Consider that Replicas are beings made of memories. Namine is what gave both him and even Sora's own replica, Xion, the ability to live. It wouldn't surprise me if she somehow contacted him or if he, sensing Namine in danger, still had enough power to resurrect and go after her." Riku explained as Axel shrugged.
"Too bad we can't ask ol' ice breath Vexen himself. He's the expert on Replicas and such. He'd know for sure." Axel said as Riku and Terra both exchanged looks.
"That's true but we could always ask the original." Terra said as he started for the door.
"Wait, you mean Even?" Ven asked as Terra paused.
"Even isn't the evil scientist his Nobody was. Like me, he might've had a period in Darkness but also like me he has found redemption." Terra said as Riku crossed his arms over his chest.
"You don't need to contact him. I already did." Riku said as Terra stopped and turned towards Riku.
"What'd he say?" Terra asked.
"Nothing besides 'I'll be there soon.'" A familiar voice said before four Corridors of Darkness opened and closed, depositing four figures in black coats and hoods, each of them pulling back the hoods to reveal four of the former members of Organization XIII. Dilan, Aeleus, Even, and Ienzo.
"Well-well, it's like old home week, an old Organization XIII reunion party." Axel commented with a smirk.
"We're here in response to Riku's summons. Is it true that Replica has returned?" Ienzo asked as Riku gave a nod.
"It's true. The evidence is in the basement of the Old Mansion. You can see for yourself." Riku commented.
"I wasn't expecting all four of you to show up." Terra said, a little mistrustful of his former subordinates.
"We came prepared for the worst, Superior." Aeleus commented. Terra seemed to grimace slightly at the mention of his former title.
"We aren't the heartless and hollow husks our Nobodies were, Superior. We seek to make amends, to undo the damage our counterparts inflicted upon the worlds. If the Replica of Riku is running amok, it's only natural we do what we can to stop it." Even said as Riku turned towards him.
"Then can you give us any theories as to why the Replica would spontaneously revive?" Riku asked.
"A few. The most prevalent I believe is that he was never truly dead, only defeated. You cannot destroy a memory. You can block access to them but you cannot destroy them outright. The heart simply will not allow something like this to happen. Even Replicas are bound by this rule even though they have no hearts to begin with. It's my belief that although he was defeated, the Replica of you merely lay in wait, watching and monitoring for a specific sign or action. It is my belief that this sign was the abduction of the Nobody, Namine." Even explained.
"But why Namine? Why would her abduction awaken him?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah, why not Kairi herself?" Ven asked.
"Because the Replica's memories were implanted by Namine. It remembered vowing to protect Namine and Namine alone. With Namine herself abducted specifically, he sensed her abduction, sensing she was in direct and immediate danger, and in turn his body, battered though it may be, forced itself to respond and fly to her rescue." Ienzo added.
"So the Replica is in the Forgotten Worlds, searching for Namine too?" Kairi asked but Riku seemed unsure.
"Maybe but according to what Aqua told me, it's been reported that he's traveling with Si'Lea's apprentice. But why?" Riku asked, looking contemplative. Even however seemed to be hesitant about something, looking towards Kairi, something which Terra noticed.
"Even, you have something to say?" Terra asked as Even sighed.
"I didn't want to say this but…I don't believe he might be working in his right state of mind. The Replica, that is." Even said, earning a confused look from the others.
"What do you mean?" Terra asked as Even looked hesitant but carried on.
"I still remember much of what Vexen did during his time in Organization XIII. During the creation process for the Replicas of Riku and of number one, Xion, that he quietly studied Namine's power to manipulate memories. His findings are still in here." Even said, tapping his head.
"What did he find?" Kairi asked, curious to know how her Nobody's powers worked.
"Namine's power is formidable. She can not only manipulate memories but create tangible objects made of memories as well. She can unlock memories suppressed or forgotten, no matter how difficult they are to find. She knows how to repair the chain of memories, to reattach the links that have been blocked or severed for whatever reason. But even her powers have their limits. There is one thing that Namine simply cannot do and that is create new memories from scratch. She can take existing memories and manipulate them, piece them together link by link, to create the memory she needs but only if those memories have ever existed within the person in the first place." Even explained as Riku looked thoughtful.
"Like?" Ven asked.
"It would be difficult to explain. One example would be, say, making a new friend for example. Namine could take that memory and alter it so that she was the friend that was made, or even make it where someone else was the friend. The possibilities are endless." Even explained.
"So as long as she has the templates to work with, she can create any memory she wants." Riku said as Even gave a nod.
"Precisely." Even said as Axel furrowed his brow.
"Whoa, hold on, something ain't right here. I remember what we put Sora through in Castle Oblivion. He thought Namine was a girl he'd known for a long time and then suddenly moved away. If you're saying Namine sorta plagiarized that memory, who did she replace in Sora's memories?" Axel asked, Riku looking very uncomfortable at the thought.
"Riku, something wrong?" Xenix asked.
"There's one possible memory that he might have that could match up, but it doesn't feel right to me. It would mean someone moved away, but I don't…I don't remember anyone moving away from the islands. The memory I have is of…no it couldn't have been of her." Riku mumbled to himself.
"Riku, you're mumbling. Speak up." Terra said as Riku groaned in frustration and angst.
"It's nothing. Ignore me." Riku said but Terra wasn't buying it.
"Riku, you know something." Terra said as Riku glared at him.
"Don't make me say it, Terra. Please." Riku said, clearly pained by the memory in question. Terra picked up on this and quietly nodded.
"Alright. If you insist." Terra replied softly.
"Thank you. So if the Replica of me remembers making a promise to protect someone, and Namine made herself the subject of that promise, who did I promise to protect?" Riku asked.
"That is something I'm afraid we cannot help with." Even said, the other three former Nobodys nodding in agreement.
"When Namine returns, perhaps you should ask her yourself." Dilan suggested as Riku nodded.
"I will. You can count on that." Riku said before heading for the door, leaving the others in silence. Xenix quietly hurried after him. She caught up with him as he headed up the path towards the train station.
"Riku! Wait up!" Xenix called. Riku didn't even react, continuing to walk up the path, lost in thought.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Just some unpleasant memories and…augh! This mystery gets weirder and weirder all the time!" Riku groaned as he reached one of the railings overlooking the town from the station courtyard.
"Would it help to talk about it?" Xenix asked as Riku scratched his head.
"Before you showed up, Master Yen Sid said I had been the victim of a memory alteration spell cast by a Keyblade Wielder. The others say that I was slowly remembering someone, a girl specifically, but the memory was constantly forced back and replaced by that spell. I wonder if, perhaps, this girl is the one I promised to protect." He said as Xenix shrugged.
"Like when you promised to protect me?" she asked, causing Riku to pause and slowly turn towards her curiously.
"What?" he asked.
"Back in the scary castle, you promised to protect me. Your words were: Don't worry. I'll protect you. I always will. Count on it." Xenix said as Riku slowly looked away, mouthing the same words to himself in thought.
"Could it be that…that you, or rather the person you used to be was the girl I made the promise to?" Riku asked as Xenix shrugged.
"Maybe." Xenix replied as Riku sighed in frustration.
"None of this makes any sense. Who was I meant to forget? Who is this girl I promised? And who wanted me to forget?" Riku asked himself as he rested his forehead in his hands for a moment before looking towards the sky.
"Sora ol' buddy, I know you're doing your best, but you need to step things up and bring Namine back to us." Riku said towards the sky.
Meanwhile…
Aqua and Si'Lea were on the road again, figuratively speaking.
"So there's some kind of copy of this Riku running around?" Si'Lea asked as Aqua gave a nod.
"Yeah. I don't pretend to understand how it works either but Riku knows enough to be dangerous. I've learned to trust Riku on these things." Aqua replied.
"That's good enough for me. So you think this 'Replica' was sent by Namine to protect Nixe? What for I wonder?" Si'Lea asked.
"Probably to protect her from the Sisterhood. That'd be my guess." Aqua said before looking back towards Si'Lea.
"Well when we find Nixe and if he's done anything to her, he's dead and I'll make sure of it." Si'Lea said as Aqua nodded understandingly.
"I don't think you have much to worry about. If he's anything like the Riku I know, he'll be a perfect gentleman." Aqua said.
"Well by your own words, he's not the same Riku so I'm not trusting him until I've had a chance to meet him." Si'Lea replied.
"You trust me." Aqua commented, earning a sigh from Si'Lea.
"Because I know that you're you. I may be half-blind but not where it counts. I've been fooled before. I've seen friends become enemies. But I know you're you." Si'Lea explained as Aqua slowed down.
"Why? You're willing to just take me at face value?" she asked as Si'Lea came around to face her.
"Aqua, remember when we sparred in the stadium? You pulled off moves I'd forgotten about, moves that I knew only you could pull off. You remembered things that only we would know about each other. So no, I didn't take you at face value. I never do with anyone. I'm sorry but I've just gotten cynical about new or even familiar people these days. I just hide it well." Si'Lea said as Aqua gave an understanding nod.
"I guess, being burned by First is a good enough reason to get cynical." Aqua said as Si'Lea sighed and turned back around.
"Yeah. That's why I'm still not ready to trust that Namine is on our side. Riku neither. I've seen First turn close friends in to enemies. Oswald, Prishe…both friends of mine and both turned against me because of First's machinations." Si'Lea said as Aqua looked away.
"I know what that's like." Aqua muttered.
"Do you?" Si'Lea asked, looking towards her.
"Terra…he's not quite the man you knew eleven years ago. He's…he's had some real hardship. I'd rather not talk about it. It'd be rude to talk about him behind his back even if it's to you." Aqua explained as Si'Lea gave a nod.
"Then I won't even ask. Just let me ask this one question: do you still trust him?" Si'Lea asked as Aqua nodded.
"With my life." She replied.
"Good enough for me." Si'Lea said as they started off again.
Meanwhile in the Palace of Eternity…
First was impatiently pacing back and forth in her chambers, her face contorted in anger. She was still angry about the recent turn of events. Losing Second at Sora's hands was a major setback. Worlds such as Steadfast and Sublime had been cowering in fear for the past ten years and hope had become a four letter word. Now all of that was undone. Hope had been rekindled in the hearts of the people of those worlds and all because one boy had managed to kill one of the Sisterhood of Seven, publically. As she paced back and forth, the door to her chambers slowly cracked open, allowing Third to enter.
"Sister?" Third asked softly but got no answer.
"Sister we need a plan. You said the Apprentice was the plan but how?" Third asked as First stopped pacing, facing away from her.
"The plan, is patience, Third. I want you to monitor the movements of Si'Lea, the Apprentice, and this other Keyblade Master, this Sora, and keep me informed." First said as Third gave a hesitant nod.
"Very well but what for?" she asked as First sat down at her desk, picking up a writing pen.
"We are going to wait until the time is right to strike. We need Si'Lea and the Apprentice to be in the same place at once and the boy, Sora, to be elsewhere. Then, we will strike with all of our power and put an end to this conflict once and for all." First said as she wrote in her journal.
"What of Seven?" Third asked.
"What of her?" First asked back, distracted.
"She has proven formidable against Keyblade Wielders, especially after she assassinated the blue haired one in Jungle Book. What is her role in this?" Third asked as First paused. She remained silent, pondering for a moment before setting down the pen and standing up.
"I still do not fully believe she is not responsible for some of the setbacks that we've encountered as of late. Her ease at assassinating the other Master seemed almost too easy. She nearly defeated Fourth back in Lantern Kingdom while I had Si'Lea distracted. I have severe doubts that she went down so easily." First commented as Third arched a curious eyebrow.
"We saw her die though." Third said as First whirled around and glared at her.
"Or was that what we were meant to see?" she asked, storming for the door, closing it behind Third and turning towards her.
"Ask him." She said as Third gave a nod and turned towards a blank wall, crossing her arms over her chest. She then waved her hand across in front of her, conjuring the magic mirror.
"Slave in the magic mirror, come from the farthest space, through wind and darkness, I summon thee. Speak!" Third commanded, the room suddenly darkening as a bolt of lightning flashed outside and a loud clap of thunder echoed. The mirror suddenly began to glow with a fire inside it.
"Let me see thy face!" Third commanded as the fire briefly engulfed the inside of the mirror before revealing its white mask-like visage inside.
"Great is thy power, majesty. But hold, another maid do I see. Hair a vibrant blue, hidden from your sight, by her magic's due. Deception was her survival's claim, her demise staged to save another's name." The Magic Mirror reported in his usual poetic tongue.
"Deceived?! The other Keyblade wielder is still alive?!" First asked in annoyance, snarling in anger.
"How did she deceive us?! Did she know about the hit?!" Third asked.
"Hair white as snow, through him, she did know. Tasked to protect thy coveted maid is he, forged from memory to protect her from thou and from Si'Lea." The Magic Mirror replied as First scowled.
"That boy…that, Riku, that travels with the Apprentice. He warned her somehow. But then that begs the question, how did he find out?" First asked.
"Ears dark and round, between which should rest a crown. The brother of thy slave, he does wander. With his very ears, your plan he did squander." The Magic Mirror replied as First and Third looked at each other confused.
"Brother of the slave? But who…" Third asked as First scowled. She understood what the mirror had said.
"Oswald. The other Keyblade Master, the small one, is his brother. But how did he hear about the plan to kill Aqua?" First asked.
"The Mirror said he overheard the plan. He must've infiltrated somehow." Third said as First scowled.
"Possibly. I wasn't even aware he was in these worlds until Oswald reported his presence. He may very well have found ways of infiltrating. We shall have to be extra careful from now on." First commented but Third seemed suspicious.
"Wait, if the blue haired one, Aqua you called her, knew about the plot to kill her, why didn't she simply fight back? Why did she fake her own death? What advantage would it get her?" Third asked before First looked towards the mirror.
"Well?" she asked the mirror, impatiently.
"A death staged to hide its perpetrator's true intent. To shroud a Witch's treason, to its full extent." The Magic Mirror said as First and Third's eyes widened, First's mouth contorting into a snarl.
"Betrayed! Seven is a spy!" First said as Third looked towards her.
"She's been acting against us this entire time. Her naivety was only a ploy while she's been plotting against us!" Third said as First let out an animalistic growl.
"Call for the other sisters, tell them to meet in the old ballroom tonight but keep it quiet. I don't want Seven to know. And just to be safe, order Oswald and the Blot to keep watch on Seven. We'll meet after she's turned in for the night." First said as Third looked towards her and gave a nod before heading for the door, leaving First alone with the Magic Mirror.
"Now, tell me more about this boy protecting the Apprentice. Tell me about this, Riku."
End Chapter 49
It looks like Namine's planned deception has backfired and now the Sisterhood is aware of her duplicity. Plus it seems the mystery surrounding Riku and the Riku Replica has deepened.