middaeg | [Closed] taking the road to dawn

Entry tags:

kh: riku

[Closed] taking the road to dawn

Who: Riku + various plotted CR
When: Aereuer 13th
Where: Looking-Glass House
What: Memory sharing event!
Warnings: Body possession, will update with more as they come up.

[To those new to, or beginning to know Riku, his mirror appears rectangular in shape, its frame a dark silver contrasting with the lighter silver of the glass face. It's worn around the edges but appears well maintained otherwise. Closer acquaintances will be able to see carved figures built into the frame; small carvings of palm trees and Paopu fruit running along the base. One the two sides are two distinct Keyblades. Closer friends will be able to see the Dream Eater sigil carved into the top of the frame.

The teen himself is not often found hanging around his own mirror, leaving it wide open to any curious inspectors as he satisfies his own curiosities with the mirrors of others. But should he spot anyone stepping through his mirror, he's sure to follow them in soon after.]

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[The memory opens with the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and the sight of a sky at the beginnings of sunset, streaked with colors of pink, red, and yellow. Darkened clouds are gathering above, a sign of a possible storm brewing. The beach is deserted with the exception of a tall, dark haired man standing at the edge of the sand, who turns away from the water right as a young silver haired boy begins walking slowly past him further up the beach.

The boy's eyes stray to the man and he stops, curiously turning to the man.]

"Hey. Did you come from the outside world?" (2:57-5:32)

[Several floating platforms of rock are clustered at varying heights, creating a pathway to the topmost platform decorated with a stone pathway. The platforms are surrounded at all sides by a gushing waterfall.

A younger Riku stands on the topmost platform, looking down on a tall, broad chimera covered in dark brown fur, with black horns extending out of his forehead. The teen stands tall and confident, seeming to enjoy his place towering over the Beast.

When he speaks, his voice is curt.]

"No vessel, no help from the Heartless...So tell me, how'd you get here?" (0:10-2:23)

[ He has little idea what to expect from the mirror, failing to ascertain its owner by the limited features he can make out on its frame alone. Even when he does pass through, eyes narrowing at a geological marvel that sees water rising instead of falling around him while stone seems to float on the mist, he doesn't at first glance recognize the boy he's positioned near.

It's only when he catches sight of the mirrorbound Riku shortly after that it becomes clear, eyes dragging instead back down to that hulking beast speaking the name of a woman he doesn't recognize. ]

So it's you.

... where are we?

[Riku can only stand and stare for a moment, taking in the scene before him. It's strange to look upon himself as he had been at the beginning of their adventures, all arrogance and surety. A part of him wants nothing more than to tell that boy what awaits him. And how much he's going to regret how the next few minutes go down for years to come.

Sasuke's question breaks him from his thoughts.]

It's called Hollow Bastion. It's a floating castle and those rocks are the only pathway to it.

[Just then Beast gives a mighty roar, cutting Riku off from saying more, and launches himself towards the younger Riku from his lower platform. The current Riku glances away, his expression almost pained, as his young self dodges the attack and counters with one of his own.]

[ Of equal interest to Sasuke is how Riku responds to the attack, a quick dodge and counterattack that showcase his form as he watches. He's certainly far more skilled now and the shinobi takes that on board, finding himself wishing for a demonstration that he won't get soon. Better to focus on how this older Riku is reacting to the scene itself, an obvious shame turning his head. ]

You should know the question that comes next.

Who is he and why are you stopping him?

[His eyes close briefly and he takes a breath. There's no avoiding this explanation. Best to just rip the bandage off.]

His name is Beast, and I don't really know him personally. But he's here to rescue a woman who was taken from him. I'm stopping him from doing so because...I was told if I helped the people I was working with that it would save my friend.

[The room is large and narrow, made of stone walls. Along the walls are stone pillars decorated with large carvings of bird-like creatures. Above them hover small glowing balls of light, cast in an eerie green, illuminating the room with a malevolent glow.

The door of the room flings open, and a younger, breathless Riku rushes inside. He comes to a stop in the middle of the room.]

"Why? It was mine."

[For as turbulent as their past may be, there's a lot about the silver-haired Master that Roxas doesn't know about. So it's understandable that Roxas couldn't help but be curious to see Riku's memories, get a glimpse into the other wielder's own history.]

[He's surprised to find such a memory, seeing Riku succumb to Darkness. He's quiet for a moment, before speaking up.]

...this is where you got your dark power?

[He had known what memory they would seen as soon as he had stepped through the mirror after Roxas and seen the stone walls and their carvings. It's a place he's sure to never forget and one he also tries not to think about these days. Much like this memory as a whole.

But he doesn't feel as exposed by having the other boy see it as he might had it been a stranger.]

Yeah, from Ansem. But more than that this is where...I let him in. When he possessed me.

He possessed you?

[He had wondered why that different form Riku had taken looked like Ansem, but hadn't known all the details.]

For a short time.

[Although the effects of his bad choices runs deeper than just possession. Ansem is still a part of him somehow. A part of his darkness he'll probably never be rid of. But he's learning more and more to accept that.]

He wanted to use my body and powers to fight Sora.

...and he used your anger at Sora to do so.

[Roxas is well familiar with anger, and it was plain to see how angry Riku was with Sora in that memory.]

Why were you upset with Sora? I thought you two were friends.

[He nods and glances away. As much time as he's spent trying to let go of the past and move forward, it never gets easy to talk about. He still feels an incredible amount of shame and guilt for so easily becoming a pawn to Ansem and Maleficent.]

Well, it started because I thought he had forgotten all about me and Kairi. When the door on the island opened and we got separated I wanted nothing more than to find Sora and Kairi. Especially once I found out the trouble Kairi was in. But when I ran into him again...well, he had Donald and Goofy. And he seemed so happy...

[He sighs and shakes his head.] Maleficent put the idea in my head that he was happier without us. And I believed her.

But the memory you just saw? That happened after Sora took his Keyblade back from me. I thought it would have been impossible. That I was the one it chose. [He'd been wrong.]

You thought Sora had forgotten about you?

[That seems so confusing for Roxas. Sora was the least likely person to forget about his friends... then again, he could understand why Riku would believe someone like Maleficent. His ears angle down.]

But, didn't you have your own Keyblade?

[He sighs, running a hand through his hair in a quick motion to try and cover some of his embarrassment. At the time his actions had seemed to make sense, but looking back he can't help but feel like a fool.]

It was stupid of me to believe her. It's just...it had been me, Sora, and Kairi for so long. [He frowns. He's not going to dig himself into a deeper hole by admitting he had been jealous. It should be obvious enough.]

Soul Eater, yeah. But I...I wanted to be the only one. The better one.

...You're really gullible sometimes, huh?

[First him following DiZ's orders, now this... But though Roxas's words may jab at Riku, he turns towards the scene once more, and when he speaks again, he's less hard.]

I get it, though. Sometimes things happen the make you end up hurting your friends, even if you don't want to.

[He frowns but otherwise doesn't respond to the jab. At this point he can't exactly disagree. But hr would like to think he's not nearly as gullible as he used to be.

In the case of DiZ he had only followed along with his orders because it would bring him closer to waking up Sora. But, once again, it had been a matter of his feelings for his friend being used to ensure his cooperation. He's not blind to that fact.]

Yeah, but this wasn't like that. I made a choice to let my anger and insecurities get the best of me. I could have chose differently and not hurt anyone. I didn't.

[He doesn't want sympathy for his younger self. He had been an idiot.]

[Roxas looks over Riku again, studying him with a critical eye. Were he still trapped in Sora's heart, he'd probably feel much more rage and anger at the silver-haired teen before him. While emotions are still something he's figuring out, anger is something he knows very well. He knows how anger can influence one's choices, how it can make one's blood boil and shut out everything else.]

[He still feels anger towards Riku some days, but he also understands Riku a little more. And he can relate to making choices you regret later on.]

[He lets out a breath, closing his eyes for a moment.]

...But you're different now, right?

Edited 2020-05-25 20:02 (UTC)

[But that's the question, isn't it? Is he different? He feels different. Like he's learned several lessons through his adventures that he thinks he'll carry with him forever. He's made choices he doesn't think he would have made had he still been the same person he had been at the start.

But he's also not sure that he's the person who can say for sure how different he's become. Sora and Kairi would know the best probably.]

What do you think? Do I seem different to you?

[He can only imagine the opinion Roxas has of him. And it's probably not very good. But he deserves that.]

[Roxas opens his own eyes and looks Riku over, remaining silent for a couple seconds. He gives him a long look, face unreadable for the time.]

Well... I still think you owe me that 5000 munny you stole. And there's a lot of hurtful things I'm still going to remember that you did.

[But after a beat, he offers a small smile to Riku.]

But... you're not as bad as I once thought you were. And I know you went through a lot, too. So... yeah. I think you're different than how you were when we first met.

[Riku offers a small smile in return, feeling a rush of relief. He hadn't realized that he had been bracing himself to hear something awful. And what Roxas says is by no means a glowing review. But...it's a start.]

Can I pay off that debt with ice cream? And I probably deserve that.

I've never apologized for the things I did to you because I didn't want to lie. I regret the way things went. The actions that I took. But I don't think I could ever regret the way things worked out. I wanted Sora to wake up. I needed him.

[He glances away.]

But I'm glad that you can be you now. I'm glad that I get to know you better.

[World's Worst and Most Awkward Not-Apology goes to...]

Well... I might be willing to allow a payment plan of ice cream.

[He says it with a wry grin. But as Riku keeps talking, he lets out a small sigh, closing his eyes again.]

...You did what you thought was right to help your friend. I can understand that. Axel did the same thing.

[Even though Axel's actions had caused a divide to form between the three of them.]

I'm glad I get to be myself again, too. And despite everything... I'm glad we can have another chance to get to know each other.

[The beach is dark, as if all natural color has been sucked out of it aside from the white glow of what looks like a small moon hanging low in the sky. There is nothing around expect for the sand, the water, and massive rock formations that hang over head in the water and on the sand.

Two figures are on the beach, one easily recognizable as Riku, and the other a much shorter humanoid mouse with large round ears. They both hold their Keyblades in hand.

Suddenly, the mouse calls out.]

Riku, look!

[Riku turns quickly, surprised, as a giant black tower with numerous yellow eyes barrels straight into him.]

[ooc: Feel free to have Lance see whatever abilities you want him to during the fight. I figured the gameplay would give you a good idea as to what his Keyblade can do.]

[ he remembers riku. they met once. it was a pleasant conversation, and even though lance hadn't seen him in a while, that silver hair and that particular haircut are unmistakeable. and then there's a giant mouse talking to him, which isn't the weirdest thing he's seen but it's strange nevertheless -- and then what the heck are those things with the yellow eyes?!

there's so much to unpack here and barely any time.

lance lets out a yelp as he stumbles backwards, away from the black tower. he's well aware that this is a dream, but he thought riku's world was a lot happier than this. geez. ]

What the-?!

[He spots Lance slipping through his mirror and doesn't waste any time following him through. It's uncomfortable when he thinks about what potential strangers can find out about him just by entering his mirror, but he does his best to dismiss his unease. It's not as if everyone else isn't just as vulnerable right now. If anything this is deserved karma for every mirror he can't help but enter out of sheer curiosity.

The beach is easily recognizable to him, as is the quick moving black tower of heartless that's currently capturing King Mickey. If anything, it's Lance that sticks out like a sore thumb.]

Don't worry. None of it should be able to hurt you. But...you might want to stay further up the beach and away from the water.

[Wispy clouds of darkness begin to wrap around the tower, as if capturing the heartless in a tornado. The heartless begin to scatter but then are sucked in even closer as the tower morphs into a large black ball of darkness that hovers over head.

The ball begins to glow a light pink from the inside and then a shadowy figure bursts out from inside the ball, dropping down onto the sand. The figure is humanoid but completely shrouded in darkness. It moves to pick up Mickey's fallen Keyblade as the Riku from the memory remains kneeling a few feet away.]

Just so you know, that's a friend of mine. She's being influenced by our enemy at this time though. But she's not usually like this. [He feels it's important that he explains Aqua's situation the best he can. He doesn't want Lance to see her in Aefenglom and get the wrong idea. None of what is about to happen is her fault.]

[ after this memory's over, lance will offer to let riku step into his mirror. it's only fair, after all. lance feels bad just being here, especially since this memory is apparently riku's and they haven't seen each other in a while. way to make your presence known, lance!

at least he'll follow riku's advice though, and he tries to make his way further up on the beach. he doesn't stop to look at what's happening until he's a respectable distance away from...whatever that is.

especially when someone emerges from...the ball. what in the world is going on. lance has seen things but nothing quite like this. ]

So she's possessed or something -- wait, is she going after you?

[He expects it's a shock to be dropped into the middle of a battle no matter what, but that it's infinitely more so shocking when dropped into a battle with creatures you've never seen or heard of before. If it had been Kor maybe he could have taken it in stride after having heard Riku talk about Heartless before. But Lance hadn't been given such a crash course.

Riku follows the other teen up the beach, where they can both watch the scene play out unobstructed.]

It's a long story. But I'll try to answer any questions you have. [He figures it's the least he can do since Lance is already here.]

Kind of. She's given into her Darkness and because of that Xehanort is able to influence her. Turn her against us.

[Aqua has picked up Mickey's Keyblade and carried it towards the water. However, instead of walking into the water, her steps carry her over it, as if there's an unseen platform beneath her. She speaks of her years trapped in this place weaponless and the blame she places on Mickey for not finding her.]

[ ooc: i apologize for this being so late, feel free to drop the thread if you want! i know it's such a crusty tag so no worries either way <3 ]

Uhhh. And Xehanort is...some evil person hellbent on taking over the universe?

[ JUST TAKING A WILD GUESS. but he listens to her dialogue with the mouse, and he can hear the anguish in her voice. being trapped here for that long -- it's no wonder she's given in to her "darkness". whether that's metaphorical or literal, well, he's not sure. it's just clear that things aren't okay here. ]

Please tell me she breaks out of it eventually.

[Rocky gravel covers the ground in what may have once been a courtyard for the large, shambling ruins of a building that surrounds the area.

Two figures stand across from each other, one easily recognizable as the teen Alex has met in Aefenglom. The other, a near exact twin, expect for some small differences: longer hair, a few inches shorter, and an appearance that is at least a year or two younger than the Riku she knows. The younger of the two is slumping forward, appearing to be hurt. He has a dark aura hovering around him, tendrils of dark rising from his body.

When he speaks, his words are pained, but his voice is unmistakably Riku's.]

"You're not...real..."(0:15-end)

[ Alex is disoriented for a moment, unsure of where she had ended up after passing through the mirror. The pillar of shadows that shoots up into the sky makes her jump in surprise, but she recognizes Riku on the other side. And also...

Riku...?

There were some differences, but it seemed even they were having a debate over who was the real one. But why was there another of him? And what were the shadows about? She watches the exchange, and suddenly there was a third Riku, but this one was something like a ghost. A ghost that was appeared to be willing to sacrifice himself for someone else.

Alex is left stunned where she stands, not sure what to make of all this. There was a mannequin on the ground that once was someone who looked like Riku. A replica, they called it? And the ghost like Riku had faded away into light. Leaving...just one.

Seeing him left alone there, Alex wished there was something she could do. ]

Riku..?

[ Could this Riku even hear her? ]

[That Riku could not, in fact, hear her. He doesn't seem to notice her presence at all as he walks over to the fallen replica.

But behind her footsteps approach, and the real Riku appears, giving a glance to their surroundings. He'd stepped into his mirror wondering what kind of memory it would make him see, if any. He's surprised to find someone already there.]

Alex? [He reaches out to touch her shoulder, his gaze flickering between her and the other Riku kneeling down to pick up the replica. It's not hard to guess what memory she had seen.]

...That must have been really confusing to see.

[ The touch startles her, but she doesn't pull away when she sees who it is...The Riku she does know. ]

W..what...was all of that..?

[ Seriously, where does she start? ]

[It's pretty difficult for him to figure out where to begin.]

There's an organization in my world that my friends and I are - were - fighting. They were able to create copies of people called replicas. The other two Rikus you saw were my replica.

[ Someone so young was standing up to organizations...? One that created clones and beams of shadows? ]

Why were you fighting...?

[ Was there no one else to fight them? ]

It's our duty as Keyblade wielders to protect the worlds and fend off the darkness. The Organization wanted to spread darkness.

[It seems simple enough to him. Of course, there's a lot of history he's leaving out.]

That....that seems like such a heavy duty for someone so young..

[ Why the hell were kids dealing with something like that? ]

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[Closed] taking the road to dawn

ventus;

sasuke;

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roxas;

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lance;

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alex;

CRASHES IN so many rikus

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