AN: Look at that, two lengthy chapters in one night! Well, it is a Friday, and I have creative brain fuel in the form of soda lol! xD I'm in hyper mode! Also hey look, DISNEY STUFF! That's weird... :D
End of AN!
"GET OUT OF MY HEART!" Riku screamed, whirling this way and that, his fists clenched. Shaking.
Darkness suddenly shimmered in front of him - resolving itself into that vague, genderless, shadowy human shape with a flaming aura.
"This is the best I can do for you," a voice spoke - one that wasn't anyone's Riku recognized. He wasn't even sure whether he could pin it down as a- a boy's voice or a girl's? Or maybe it was both, strangely enough? "But I can't remain this way for long: I'll have to return to you soon."
"Never! And- why were you in my Heart? Are you working with Ansem!" Riku shouted.
That genderless voice sighed. "If I was working with Ansem, I would have let him take control of your body."
...Right. "Well - I still don't want you in there any more than I do him! So get lost!"
"It's not a matter of what either of us wants. If I remain outside of your Heart for too long a time, I'll disappear - fade away into nothingness."
"Good!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"I believe I just saved your life - and nothing else. Why do I deserve death, in your eyes?"
"Just stop it. I know all about your kind," Riku said firmly. "All you do is cause chaos, destruction, and death. I'm not letting you trick me into being used for that. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime."
"Yes, we've established that I'm a Darkness - but I don't believe I am one of the Ancient Darknesses that the Keyblade Master, Luxu, told you about before. I'm not a foreign invader: I was born in your Heart, just hours ago now - that's a fact I'm sure of."
"Right," Riku snorted. "That's what you're going to try to sell me on, is it? That you're something like what Vanitas was to Ventus. Or - what we all thought they were to each other. Just his darkness ripped out, personified? Except that was all a big lie, and we all know what the truth is, so don't even bother trying it!"
"I understand your suspicions, but I promise you, I have no intentions of hurting you - for the simple fact that you are my host, if nothing else can convince you. You know my kind needs to reside within a human Heart to survive; what would be the point in doing anything that would bring you to harm? That would be antithetical to my own basic instincts."
"I know what your instincts are. You manipulate people, you hide in their Hearts, you use them, and you destroy them - and everyone else around you."
"Wrong. Darkness's nature is to grow, to spread - against the borders of the light that pushes back at it. Just as light wants to shine in every corner, washing away every last shadow. But I'm more than my instincts - as you are. You can use darkness as a power for good...and I can decide to act, myself, as a force for good as well."
"And why would you decide that?" Riku said.
The Darkness tilted their head at him. The dark flames swayed. "Because you did."
"I only do straight answers. Try again."
"You're different from other humans. You don't look at darkness and see evil, monster - not normally, at any rate. Not when you aren't fearful and panicking. But that isn't fear of the dark, it's fear of what the darkness holds. But darkness itself? You know better than that. It was that core belief, that truth - along with everything you've been feeling and thinking these past few days - that's shaped me into the being I am upon my birth." The Darkness paused. Then- "You aren't Kairi, or Sora, or Terra. You aren't Erin. You aren't the hero. You aren't strong enough to be one. You thought to yourself, again and again, that anyone else could do it better-"
"I know what I've been thinking!"
"Well, there's your answer," came the response - now in very identifiable smug tones. "I was born within your Heart in response to your desires: I'm the one who can do it better."
Riku stared with blind eyes. He blinked them rapidly. Then he burst into laughter. "Y-you?! Right! Yeah right!"
"I didn't think it was all that funny."
"Shut up!"
"Rude."
"Don't care. Get out of here. Now."
"Do you know what humans call it when someone acts hostile and rude toward someone else for being born a certain way, or as part of a certain group? It's called bigotry. Prejudice. And in this case - speciesism."
"W-what? Are you...are you calling me- racist or something? Seriously?"
"What else would you call this? I deserve a thank you from you, not distrust and mistreatment."
"Shut UP!" Riku hurled a fist out, sending out Dark Firaga.
The dark fireballs passed straight through the shimmering dark figure, and evaporated harmlessly in the open air behind it.
"Now that was just disgusting of you. If I had been a physical being, you really would have just attacked me out of anger like that? You would have blown a defenseless person off this mountain? You really aren't cut out to be a hero, are you..."
Riku breathed hard, pausing. He lowered his shaking fist, uncurling his fingers. "Go. Away," he breathed, turning away.
"As I said: I can't. Well...I could, perhaps, but I would need to fully detach myself from and vacate your Heart - in favor of nesting within others. But the average person's Heart isn't very good at handling darkness; who knows how long they'd last? But your Heart...it's special, Riku. I felt it the moment I awoke - the second I was born inside it. You can take the darkness in, and handle it without weakening. Without hurting. You can handle me."
"No, I can't..." Riku sighed. "I couldn't stop Ansem this time. I couldn't win. And I haven't been able to save even a single person, this whole time...I haven't helped anyone!"
"We could help them together - if you let me. Just like we always have. You and me, Riku: you and your darkness. You just need to have confidence again. And you need to trust in me, not fear me. Because I am your-"
"You aren't my darkness! You're just some- thing hiding in my Heart! And you're crazy if you think I'd work with you. Maleficent, Ansem...I'm not getting manipulated by anyone else like that, ever again!"
"I'll let my actions speak louder than my words, then..."
The Darkness rippled, and then it shrank down to a single flame...and vanished.
Riku reached out with his senses, straining to feel the world around him. Magic, light and darkness, Hearts...
Nothing.
But could he trust that...?
He put his hand to his chest, a tightness seizing it.
Odds were that that- thing hadn't listened to a word he'd said to it, and had just snuck its way back inside his Heart again.
It was probably waiting, watching...
If it was, Riku had another reason to keep going like this. Well, two reasons: he had to keep it, and this- remnant of Ansem as far away from his friends and family as possible.
He turned away and threw out a hand, summoning another dark portal.
He had to keep moving.
Through the darkness - and then into light again.
After emerging, he stopped, as a warmth and sun and familiar feeling hit him.
He listened to the sounds, he smelled the air...
And realized where he was.
Disney Town?
King Mickey's home world.
He could feel the brilliant light of it all, without even any effort.
He turned his head, and his senses were blinded by the radiant light in the distance - the castle, he knew. He'd sensed it before. A light unlike any other. Powerful, strong...
In this world, Riku felt...a little more relaxed, immediately.
He knew the light of this place was so strong that the Heartless couldn't even show up here.
Though, that meant there was no one to try to help...
Not that he could have - like he knew what to do. But...
He sighed, shaking his head and starting off down the curved streets of this familiar town. He wandered for a while, until he'd found his way to a wide open space.
A park or square.
He sat down on some grass, pulling up his knees and putting a fist to his cheek.
It was nice here... He wished he could have stayed. Just...
"Help! Someone - heeeelp!" a high voice cried out, breaking Riku's moment of tranquility.
He startled, turning, extending his senses. A Heart - a person - crossing the square. Fast. Light, quick footsteps pattering away. A kid?
He got to his feet, tensed, searching out for Heartless. He felt a cold darkness wash over him - like a wind. A draft, down the streets. He turned in that direction...and realized it was the same direction as the kid was coming from.
"You - you have to help me!" The kid - some girl? - made a beeline for him and stopped right in front of him. A small hand grabbed his, pulling.
"Look, I-" Riku started, pulling away.
"We should help her." The voice...that Darkness!
Get out of my head!
"Either you help her, or I will."
"Please..." the kid's voice broke through again. Breaking, itself. Scared. Panicked. Desperate.
Riku tried not to sigh. "Alright - what do you need help with?"
"It's my mom! She fell asleep and she won't wake up. And then- then there were these- monsters- and she told me to run and get help..." the girl rambled, breathless.
Monsters. Someone who fell asleep? Could it be...those other dark creatures again? The ones from that empty, silent village...?
But...
"I- I don't know what I can do to help," Riku admitted painfully. "I'm sorry."
"I might."
Shut UP! You're not getting anywhere near these people.
"I already am - because you are."
There it was, then, huh?
Confirmation.
This thing had just slipped back inside his Heart!
"Please, you've got to try, please..."
Riku gritted his teeth, then clenched a fist at his side.
Maybe he couldn't help the sleeping person, but he could defeat the monsters. He could...do what he could. Right?
He could do this.
He couldn't mess this up...
"Okay!" he said firmly, and summoned his Keyblade in a flash. "Where's your mom - where are the monsters? Can you take me to them?"
"This way!" the girl declared, and she was off.
Riku hurried after, down the streets. "Hey - uh - what's your name?" he said quickly as they moved.
"Pistol! Pistol Pete!"
"Wha-? Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously! What's yours?" The girl responded, her voice whipping back to him on the wind.
"It's- Riku."
"See, that's a dumber name!" said the girl whose name was...seriously Pistol? Who named their kid after a gun?!
Riku ground his teeth together. Hard. Whatever, focus on more important things!
They raced down the streets, until finally the girl stopped. She darted to the right, and Riku heard the swinging open of a wooden door. He followed after her, finding the door in question to be a heavier one than he'd thought. He pushed through and entered the cool and shade of the home.
He came to a skidding halt as the darkness hit him.
It was the same scent, alright. And the dark shapes milling around the room, around the Heart...were the same. The Heart was the same, too, as that other one...It looked, faded, dimmed, caught. Trapped...
Riku turned his head, realizing the kid was still in the room. "Hey - go outside where it's safe! I'll- take care of this."
The girl didn't move for a moment - and then she did. She exited the house with heavy panting.
Riku focused his senses on the monsters without even trying, bringing his weapon up.
Then he paused.
He'd made this mistake before. Twice, actually (with that light monster of Kairi's).
He wasn't doing it a third time!
Riku turned and bolted from the house, skidding into the streets and doing a backflip as the dark creatures chased after him.
He sensed the girl, and turned and threw out an arm to her. She retreated further down the street - hiding just behind a corner.
"Excellent! You handle them, and I'll see what I can do about the woman's Heart."
What? No - you stay away from her!
No response.
Dammit! No-!
The monsters converged on him, attacking with projectiles.
Two of them were birds of some kind, and the other was one of those fat cat types again.
Riku darted forward and slashed through the birds, leaving a trail of energy behind him. He flipped up and rained down a dozen dark projectiles, pounding them into the ground. Then he teleported behind the cat creature and gave it a furious uppercut, sending it skyward. He leapt up after it, slashing furiously and repeatedly! He juggled it- until it poofed.
He landed again, lunging for the nearest bird, thrusting a fist of Dark Firaga. But this time, he didn't let it go: he held it in his palm, and let it explode point blank. He shrouded himself in a dark aura, protecting himself from the brunt of the blast, and did a backflip as the force hit him. He landed on a knee, skidding backwards and catching himself with his free hand.
The bird was gone.
One monster left!
He closed the gap in a burst of speed, sheathed his blade in dark energy, and swung it outward. It cleaved through the monster and obliterated it in one blow.
Riku breathed, letting the energy fade, letting the darkness recede into his Heart. He straightened up, and was relieved to sense the girl still where he'd left her.
Not for long, though: she immediately came running forward - slamming right into him and hugging his midsection.
"You're from another world, aren't you! That was cool!" the girl exclaimed, as she didn't stop hugging him.
"Huh? Why would you think that?"
"You wear weird clothes and have a sword like the King does," the girl responded.
"Uh...right. Smart kid."
Why was this conversation starting to sound really, eerily familiar...?
Riku shook it off and gently tried to pry the kid loose, pushing her away. "Hey - why don't we go see about your mom?"
The girl jumped back from him instantly, gasping. "I forgot mom!" She grabbed his hand and started off down the street again - pulling him now.
Riku stumbled, following - letting her (honestly, he'd lost track of which direction the kid's house was; fighting was disorienting). He was led back inside the house, into the familiar smells and telltale shade. To that familiar, faded Heart...
The girl suddenly stopped, causing Riku to bump right into her. She was clinging to him again, letting out a high noise of fear.
Riku could "see" why.
That Darkness was swirling into existence, right next to the kid's mom.
"Hey - you! Get-" Riku called out, raising his weapon and thrusting it forward.
"Got her. She should wake up now."
Riku pried the kid loose and pushed her behind him, starting forward. "I said-"
"And I said: the woman is fine!" came the Darkness's voice - rising with anger. "If you'd just give it a minute-"
The Heart suddenly flooded with light, flaring brightly, casting away the dark shroud around it.
Riku lowered his weapon, his senses bathing in that sudden rush of heat...
"Mom...?" the girl's voice came, quiet. Hesitant.
A groan. A shuffling noise. The Heart - the person - rose up from the floor. "Pistol...?"
The Darkness vanished in a swirl of energy.
Riku moved forward hesitantly-
The girl ran past him, straight forward.
Two light, shining Hearts grew brighter together.
Riku felt a small smile coming over his face. He felt that warmth, he felt-
"You...did you-" came a new voice. The mother's voice. "That sword...do you work with the King?"
Riku hesitated. It was technically true that he did know and had met that King Mickey before...had fought a giant monster with him before. But... "Yeah. We've beaten dark monsters together before."
"What's your name, young man? Please."
"Riku..."
"He fought those monsters and saved you!" the girl said enthusiastically. A far cry from calling his name dumb.
"My name is Peg! Peg Pete!" the woman said chirpily. Then she was suddenly coming forward and taking his hand, squeezing it hard. "I don't know how I can possibly thank you for what you did today!"
"N-no thanks needed," Riku stammered, trying to pull his hand free politely. "I was just...in the neighborhood?"
"You're like a real hero!" said the girl, her voice getting higher pitched than it already previously was.
"Uh...yeah? I guess..." Riku murmured, his face heating up. He wanted to say he didn't deserve it, but- "Look, I should...go."
He turned away, heading for the door as he vanished his Keyblade.
"Thanks for helping, Riku!" the girl called out after him.
Riku stepped out onto the streets again, smiling to himself.
He'd actually...done it?
One good thing.
Saved one person. Helped one person.
He set off down the street, feeling lighter and better than he had in...days now.
"I get no credit?" came the familiar voice.
Right beside him.
He stopped, whirling, raising his hand-
"You took care of the monsters, but I saved her Heart."
Riku froze. He closed his fingers...and slowly let his arm fall. "You're seriously telling me you...did that? Woke her up? Saved her from whatever that was?"
He "saw" that featureless head tilt at him again. "Do you think you did it, then? What exactly did you do for her? I'm curious. Go on: tell me."
Riku stepped away, letting out a breath. "Alright, but you expect me to just- believe that you did? Why - why would you...?"
"Hmph. Because I chose to - just as you did, Riku. That's all there is to it."
Riku stood there for a long time, thinking hard. Sensing. Feeling. "If I believed you on that...how did you save her, then? What did you do in there?"
"I entered her Heart, and found her in a nightmare. There were more of those monsters inside of her; I took care of them easily enough - and then she woke."
"That's it...? She was just- having a bad dream? And that somehow made monsters appear?"
"Yes. The darkness of her dreams, and the monsters already inside her Heart, were keeping her trapped in that sleep."
"...Right...Okay. Sure."
"You're being very sarcastic right now; I don't appreciate it."
"You...really did help her?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes!"
"I think you're projecting."
"What?"
"Projecting - it means to misread onto others what your own-"
"I know what projecting is, and I'm not doing it!" Riku cut across, glowering at the dark shape in his mind's eye.
"...Right. Okay."
"Hah. Funny."
"No more than when you did it to me."
Riku frowned, looking down and away. He clenched his hands, lifting them...
"If you really can help more people like her...then prove it," he said slowly, hesitantly.
"You want to go back to that first village."
"How do you know that?"
"...I am inside your Heart, remember?"
"Not right now, you're not."
"Well, no - but there is still a bond between us. One through which I can sense your emotions, thoughts, and intentions, just the same. I haven't fully detached from your Heart, in this state - only temporarily left it, and materialized my essence outside its confines. But I will need to return to it, in time."
"Right, okay." He turned away, raising a hand to conjure a dark portal.
That's not going to get creepy or anything fast.
"I'll try not to listen in on your Heart's contents, but it might be a losing battle."
Why don't you start doing that right now.
"...Alright. Starting...now."
God, what the hell was he doing?
This was insane, it was dangerous, it was unbelievable...
So why was he doing it?