Backdated to Shadow Event (September 13th)

[keybearer]

Characters: Riku [AU3] and YOU!
Setting: Cathedral
Format: Action please.
Summary: Riku gets cornered by his Shadow and struggles to face his inner demons.
Warnings: No idea how this'll go, honestly.

Option A - pre-boss;

[Riku leans back against one of the walls, his eyes wide. He'd seen the messages. He'd heard about these Shadows, but now that he's come face to face with his own, all those warnings about acceptance have faded into the back of his mind.

He now stands face-to-face with this double, clad in Dark Armor with a sickening smirk on his face. He struts right up to Riku and snickers under his breath.]

What's the matter? Too scared to face the truth?

Option B - Boss;

[It'd gotten out of hand. Despite all warnings, he failed to accept his Shadow, and now it's transformed into a towering, shadowy beast. Under normal circumstances, a Darkside would be easy enough to beat, but because Riku's been drained of his strength, he's left lying helplessly on the ground as his Shadow raises one of its enormous fists.]

Comments

Boss

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor is tired of these shadows. She's tired of how they hurt people, she's tired of fighting them. The problem is that where other people rest when they're tired like this, Eleanor Lamb gets pissed.

The scene registers quickly enough, just as the adrenaline begins to flow. She sprints towards the Shadow and the figure about to get crushed, teleporting closer a few times, just so he's in range, and then she pulls him with her mind, out of the way and closer where she's standing. She looks down at him, head a little tilted and porthole lights an irritated red.]

Rough day?

[inheritedlight]

[ Kairi could seriously echo Eleanor's statements about them as well, but when it comes to someone she cares about getting hurt by them? Oh, you bet she'll be there. Soon, she'll cast a Reflega on Riku to shield him and then simultaneously cast a Firaga on the Shadow to try to weaken it. Then, she'll land right on her feet and looks at Riku with a smile. ]

It's okay now. We won't let it take an advantage of you, Riku.

[ She has a feeling she's in for a rough fight, but she's brought plenty of firepower to deal with the shadow. ]

[keybearer]

[The fire makes the Shadow falter, but then it lets out a twisted cackle.]

Take advantage of him? It's his fault he's too afraid to accept himself.

[Riku, meanwhile, pushes himself into a sitting position.]

Thanks. Both of you.

[But they better stay sharp because the gaping hole in the Shadow's chest is starting to glow. Hope you gals like homing shots!]

[thebigsister]

Don't worry about it.

[Eleanor bobs her head, half crouched where she is and then tilts her head harder, as the Shadow starts to glow.]

Uh. Is it supposed to do that?

[Because it doesn't look good. It looks pretty bad, actually, though her body language remains largely at ease.]

[inheritedlight]

Don't mention it. I owe you so much.

[ Then, Kairi gives the shadow her much trained "I am going to kick your ass and you will like it" stare. Her hand grips tightly on her Keyblade and she sighs a little. ]

Yeah, it looks like a Darkside from our worlds, so be careful. And, whatever you do, make sure to not get too close to the darkness.

[ She casts Protega, Hastega on both herself and Eleanor and another round of Reflega on Riku while summoning Oblivion to her side. Now she's ready to kick some shadow ass. ]

[keybearer]

That's right! Run away from the darkness, just like he did.

[The Shadow rears back, preparing for another strike.]

Your little words won't help much, even if you've got her face.

[Even with the protection, Riku shudders. If only he had the strength to fight... To make this thing shut up...

Even if what it's saying isn't necessarily untrue.]

Pre-boss

[luckycharmed]

[There was talk of the Shadows all over the Network. It wasn't as if Kairi had been caught off guard once she finally left her room to see if she could find any of her friends, but the amount of violence that was running rampant in the tower was disheartening and disconcerting.

Especially because she had no means to defend herself. Still, she couldn't leave people in danger if they needed help. And so begins her exploration. Luck, or perhaps a deeper connection, would find her entering the Cathedral at the right moment to find Riku.

She sees him and his Shadow, but doesn't hear any exchange of words. Her footsteps come to a halt, but not before they've echoed for anyone nearby to hear.]

[keybearer]

[Upon spotting Kairi, the Shadow snickers and brushes right past Riku.]

Kairi! I've been waiting for you...

[His tone is smooth. Eerily so, and he even winks at her. Watching his Shadow, Riku bites his lip and latches onto his arm.]

Leave her out of this!

But you don't want her to leave... You want to keep pretending.

[luckycharmed]

[She shouldn't have been surprised when the Shadow addressed her. But it still sent a shiver down her spine, and she takes a small step back.

But Kairi can't let him scare her. So she steels herself, balling her hands into fists and drawing herself up to her full, albeit short, height. She has to do something to help her friend.]

Do you want something from me? [She'll address the Shadow right back.]

[keybearer]

Of course I do...

[He starts circling her like a shark, hands clasped behind his back.]

Always have... I've just been too scared to do anything about it.

[Riku jerks forward, fists clenched.]

Shut up! That's not...

[The Shadow stops, peering over his shoulder at Riku.]

No, you're right. She's just a lookalike. Just a substitute, and it tears you apart just thinking about it.

[luckycharmed]

[She's not exactly pleased with being called a substitute. Even if she's not the Kairi from this Riku's world, she still likes to think they're friends.

The redhead glances back and forth between the Shadow and Riku himself.]

Don't let him upset you, Riku.

[thebigsister]

Can you shut up?

[Eleanor's hands ignited as she threw a rain of fireballs at the shadow.]

Nobody's talking to you.

[keybearer]

I know I shouldn't. It's just easier said than done.

[And that earns a laugh outta the Shadow.]

Because it's hard to ignore what's right in front of you. Especially when that something is you.

[luckycharmed]

Are you trying to pick a fight? [If only she really knew what these shadows were all about. Sadly, she doesn't know the whole story.]

[keybearer]

Kairi, I'd never dream of hurting you.

[The Shadow's expression softens, and he places a hand on his chest.]

You know I'd do anything to protect you. To keep you safe.

[He starts circling again. Once, twice around, and then he slides to a halt.]

Then we can all forget about her. Pretend she isn't dead.

[That's it! Riku rushes straight at his Shadow, fists clenched--

Only to get blasted by a burst of Dark Firaga and knocked to the ground. The Shadow snickers and shakes his head.]

What if the letters are true? What if she's gone? You're all alone. All you've got is a dinky little charm...

[luckycharmed]

[Kairi flinches back at the blast of Dark Firaga.] Riku! [Almost immediately she pushes past the Shadow and rushes to his side, kneeling down to make sure he's okay.]

The letter's not true, don't say that!

[keybearer]

[He sluggishly pushes himself into a sitting position, but his eyes remain locked on the floor.]

I know I shouldn't. I just...

[He can't even disclose his fears. What if it makes him look weak?]

[luckycharmed]

Just what? [Kairi places a hand on his back, trying to let him know it's okay.]

You can tell me.

[keybearer]

I'm so lonely.

[The Shadow sighs, giving her a pitiful stare, as if somebody'd ripped his heart out and stomped all over it.]

Everyone else is from that universe. Nobody understands! They may look the same, but that doesn't change a thing!

[With each word, Riku's body tenses. He can't deny what's being said, much as he wishes he could.]

[luckycharmed]

[Oh. Oh.

That's makes her so sad, she isn't even sure what to say.]

I'm... sorry...

[keybearer]

Please... don't apologize. It's--

[It's not her fault. She's still Kairi.

She's just... she's--]

Here you go again. Wallowing in your own self-pity. Waaah, look at me! I'm so weak.

[The Shadow rolls his eyes.]

Stand up, you idiot.

[luckycharmed]

[Getting to her feet, Kairi holds her arms out to block Riku from the shadow.]

Stop it!

[keybearer]

Not until he accepts it. Accepts me.

[The Shadow cackles.]

After all, I'm him.

[luckycharmed]

You're making it really hard for him to do that.

[But perhaps that's the point. Kairi looks back at the real Riku... she can't tell him what to do here, just support him with any decision he makes.]

What do you want to do?

[keybearer]

I just want him to go away. To shut up already!

[Annnd that just earns another laugh from the Shadow. Heh, heh, heh.]

[luckycharmed]

You heard him! [Kairi makes a shooing motion towards the shadow.]

Go away.