Chapter summary: Riku has to bring Roxas back at all—it's the only way to save Sora. But Roxas isn't all that's left of him...


Now that Xion had…gone away, Riku knew it was only a matter of time before Roxas would come looking for answers about Sora and his existence. He didn't anticipate Roxas trying to storm the Organization's stronghold, all in a bid to destroy Kingdom Hearts.

It was a suicidal move. One he couldn't let Roxas follow through on. Not if he wanted to bring back Sora.

So he had no choice but to face Roxas head-on if he wanted to save what was left of Sora.

He just hadn't anticipated his Nobody being stronger than he thought. But then again…

"Come on, Sora," Riku taunted, "I thought you were stronger than that."

Roxas snarled. "Get real! Look which one of us is winning!" he snapped before recoiling in shock and confusion at the words he just said.

So it was true. Roxas really was Sora's Nobody. But Roxas appeared to hate that comparison and connection.

"Get out of my way!" Roxas shouted as he rushed towards Riku.

Riku threw out his hand; dark fire flared out towards Roxas. But Roxas simply dodged and slashed at Riku, forcing him to throw up one of his hands in an attempt to deflect. It barely worked; his wrist burned with sudden pain. "Ah!"

[Riku, please! You have to stop him!]

Xi…She was crying for help. He couldn't bear hearing her voice as the memories were slipping away. He had to do something.

Roxas snarled. "How many times do I have to beat you before you give up?!"

Riku couldn't let Roxas escape. He was the key to bringing Sora back, wherever he is.

But at this rate, he was going to lose.

And he couldn't let that happen.

"All right…you've left me no other choice."

"What?" Roxas was visibly confused—and scared.

"I have to bring you back…" Riku moved to tear the cloth hiding his eyes—

"...even if I have to release the dark power that I've been holding back…."

—hiding them from the world

"...even if it changes me…FOREVER!"

—knowing full well that when he did, he would never be "Riku" again.

But before he could,

Scratch! !

"What the—?!" Riku glanced down and saw, of all things, a little Shadow Heartless scratching at his leg. How had he missed its approach?

The Shadow scratched again, not that it was doing much damage in the first place. Riku cursed, summoned Soul Eater, and prepared to end the life of the pitiful Heartless. Until—

"SORA! ! !"

Riku paused, horrified, Soul Eater inches away from the Shadow's neck.

What did he just hear?

Sora?

Did Roxas just say—

"Sora!" Roxas shouted, "Get away from him! !"

This tiny Heartless..was it really—?!

"S-Sora?!"