>> take care of her. [sophie]

[azul.]

R I K U

...In you and I, there's a new land.

Where am I? Why am I here? Where was Sora, where was Kairi? I don’t know, but I’m sorry. Thoughts swirled in the silver tinted figure. Jade eyes, glinting with faint, forgotten memories widened, growing blank with no recognition of the surrounding area. The only note was the stench of rotting filth. They must've died a horrible death. Skulls and bones rested around my thin legs. Then I realized... The way I've been... The way I've acted could have been the reason for some of the death tolls here. Why am I like this? Back at home... No. Home was just a figment of my imagination... They said it wasn't true. Ansem... He said that it wasn't true! But why then, why can I remember Sora and Kairi?! How is it possible! I don't know who to believe anymore, my own sanity, that I'm loosing so steadily, or my memory, that has been smothered with darkness.

Mad. I had to be going mad. My mind reeled with thoughts that I normally wouldn't have thought years ago. Can't I just disappear into the realm of darkness? Or is it the realm of death... I wasn't so sure anymore. My jade eyes, those rare little orbs, peered around in such things called fright, fear, regret. I moved slow through this battleground. I took my time, stepping over the dead specimen, and paying my respects. It was only natural for me. I didn't want to be mean anymore. I didn't want to be this cruel being anymore. I was like a tool, used by all in their own sadistic nature. But I had no light in me... I had no longing for them! Oh but wait, I still did... No, I do. Sora and Kairi.

"Agh! Why am I like this?! Why am I still... Me?"

My vocals screamed out in bitter hate. My last words were quiet, barely above a whisper. I didn't understand, why was I separated from the ones that I loved? My eyes traveled to the dusty grounds. I was just so crushed, I was almost demented. In pure distraught, my hind legs struck out, kicking disintegrating bones. They crunched below my steel tinted stature. It was official now, I was really beginning to lose it. I screamed out again, my throat raspy and sore; from calling their name. No! I couldn't think of them! Nostrils flared, and inhaled a quick, ragged breath as I continued to have a Riku melt down. I didn't have them often, and I could see why. I was really loosing it, this wasn't fair. "Come on Riku, don't be upset. I still look up to you." No, not again... I can still hear Sora in my mind. That was the only possible answer, because I was the only one, rigid, in this sullen land. Right?

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

Watch out...

The dark bay mare let her pillars carry her across the ground, the grass was thinning out, and the fresh air was replaced by a musty fog. Her harks were pinned, eyes wide with delight, as she entered the lands known as the Battlegrounds.
Underfoot, she no longer felt the cool, grass, but it was now hard rocks, and sand grains, a discusting feeling on ones hooves. She shook her dished dial and took off in a lively trot around the land. It was not very big, however, it looked like there had been many fights here before, for bones were tossed upon the sand, and the stench of death could be smelt.
The arabian grinned, a small, eeire humming escaping her lips; now now, what do we have here? Through the dust, Sophie layed eyes on a figure in the distance, although, the air was too thick for her to see him in any detail what so ever. The day was still young, and she was quite suprised to find some company here, for all of her other visits here had been lonely and quiet. For a winters day, the sun shone a hot warmth upon the sand, making it skitter across the pathways when she walked on it.
Sophie trotted forwards a little then stopped dead, harks pinned to her skull, she drove her left foreleg deep into the ground and squealed loudly, wanting this creature to know of her apperance.


...'Cuz I don't like the new guys

[azul.]

R I K U

...Angels in flight.

I couldn't stop this feeling. Regret, remorse? I didn't know anymore... I didn't know that the Heartless could have feelings. My body began to lather in sweat. The warmth, radiating from the sun was not needed. It seemed to burn me, like every other day. The only thing I felt physically was hot, hurt, pain. Mentally was another story. I couldn't focus on anything. It was like a train, it kept going, longer, harder, faster, and it didn't stop. Yes. That was like me right now. Delirium. I felt like I was dying, from the inside out. I just didn't know what to do. Jade eyes, hazy and clouded with frustrated tears glanced up. My auduals perked forward, my movements, they were ceased. I froze in fright. I heard a squeal, but otherwise, no words. The image in the distance, it looked like Kairi. The squeal, it was feminine, without a doubt. I didn't know how I felt. Desperate, I called out in a wavering voice.

"Kairi?... Kairi!"

It had to be her, it just had to be. As quick as my mind yelled at my legs to move, I was sprinting forward. I was tired from my outburst, and my legs could barely hold my thin stature, but I made it to her. All the while, I was calling out her name. It couldn't be anyone else, could it? But as I drew up, just feet from her, it wasn't her. She didn't have that friendly sparkle in her eyes. I couldn't believe it... It wasn't her. I ws still alone in this world. Still, my mind grew faint, and my throat began to squeeze out faint words. The tears, stinging my jade eyes gathered, and slipped from them silently. I didn't notice them.

"You're not Kairi... Who are you?"

Did this female know anything about Kairi? At that point, my mind shut off completely. I was no longer the Heartless Riku. I was that defensive colt, demanding for her words.

"Where is Kairi?! Where's Sora! Tell me right now! I know you know where they are!... Tell me!"

My tired legs, thin and shaking no longer held me up. Swiftly, they buckled, and gave out. My front end hit the decaying ground, like I was kneeling. No, I wouldn't kneel to her, she didn't deserve it... But who was this?

"No... No. No!"

My hushed whisper grew into a fierce scream, shaking my head in agony all the while. I finally noticed the tears, they fell faster into the dead grounds, and I slung my crown in shame. I really was alone in this world. I had no one.

[lynx'']

S O P H I E




Sophie spotted the other equine charging towards her, however, she stood stock still, her eyes gazing at the other, he was younger than herself, she could tell. However, as he neared, she took a step back, he was covered in a sweat What had he been doing? she asked herself, this other one was weird...
He called, she heard him calling, however, the name he shouted out ment nothing to her. Harks pinned back as he souted at her, she squealed loudly and gave a little buck, then pawed out with her right foreleg, snapping it down hard into the ground. What are you talking about?! she roared Stupid little vermon. I know nothing of this Kairi you talk about, or Sora either for that matter. she spat, flashing her teeth at the other, Who are you? she snapped, clacking her teeth. She could see him shaking, but felt no sympathy for him, his legs gave way, buckled underneath him and he fell to the ground. Ah, Sophie let a cheeky grin play across her features. It's nice to see someone has some respect. She lowered her head, so it was just centimetres from the others. Isn't that right? she added, in a silky, yet still stern voice. She snorted loudly and half reared, flaying her legs in the air, then she landed back down, close to the others head and tossed her head so her long mane and forlock bounced on her poll. Get up! she roared. A slight sweat forming on her withers as the sun got even hotter on this winter day.

[azul.]

R I K U

...My sanctuary, my sanctuary.

My mind was no longer processing. It told me, that this one that looked like Kairi was right. She probably knew nothing of where they were, but why could I believe myself? It was strange, my body acted before my mind. My emotions acted first. I was just so upset, but why? They had filled my mind with hate, and it would be easy to forget about Sora and Kairi, and yet... Yet, I clung to something so big in the beginning of my life. Why? Why did I do it? I didn't know, but I knew I missed th- I was now repeating myself. This was getting old, but still, my mind was fizzling, and it wouldn't work with me. This was bizzare, insane, strange... I was afraid, and I didn't know where to turn, but where could I? I didn't have them anymore, and I was stuck with this look-a-like, with an attitude and a half.

She spoke to me like I was dirt. I continued to cry, but my teeth gritted together angrily. But, she was right. The way I treated them... I was dirt. I was just a tool, but I couldn't let it show! I had to make a name for myself! My jade eyes glinted with that sudden hate... Before I would hurt the others, they would say that they could see the glint. Was it really that bad? Was my Heartless side gettig to me? I dismissed that thought quickly, as the look-a-like spoke. She had no respect for me. What was it that Sora said? "C'mon Riku, ignore her. She doesn't know anything about you." That was what he would say, I just knew it, right? But I just can't just ignore her! She didn't care about them, and they were a part of my life! Who are you? That was what I could hear. My jade eyes glared at her. I couldn't believe it. Should I tell her my name? Should I keep it quiet? The tears continued to fall as my voice was let out, shaking and soft.

"Riku."

That was it, she didn't need to know more. And yet, she continued to taunt me. She teased and tormented that Heartless side. But, when I was Heartless, I was horrible. I was so cruel, and I didn't want Sora or Kairi to see me that way... They couldn't see me though, could they? I didn't know anymore, but I was tired of this one's words. At her words, I rose furiously, and bellowed out. My throat could barely form that roar, it shook and wavered, but it meant a lot. I wouldn't let her assualt me like this. It was not fair to me, and I had to fight back. I had to. "No, Riku, don't do it, please!" My eyes widened. The voice in my head, it sounded so real. I looked around in disbelief. It really sounded like Kairi. I shook my head, and lowered my head. Words began to flow from me in a furious, quiet manner.

"No. You don't deserve it. You don't deserve anything! You don't deserve friends, not like Sora and Kairi! NO!"

I roared out in a tremendous tone. I rose to my feet, and glared at her. How could she be doing this? How? That was what I wanted to know. It just wasn't right!

"How dare you. How dare you!"

I screamed in agony, my thin legs shaking. Not tired, not weak. I was fuming. My nostrils flared, and I began to have a Riku melt-down, but this time, I had a target. I knew it wasn't right to attack her. Kairi and Sora screamed at me in my mind, begging me to stop, but I was loosing this emotional battle. I was loosing. I couldn't lose! Continuing to strike out, I let my jade eyes rest on the look-a-like's face. She looks so much like her, but Kairi was so caring, and this... This thing didn't care at all. Didn't care...

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

Sophie kept the small grin on her face, he was crying, looked really upset, loosing his mind. oh well...these things happen sweety. She let a quiet cackle escape her kissers, through her own gritted teeth. Little Riku, it seems to me like your loosing your mind... she whispered into his ear, grazing her teeth gently down from the top of his neck to the bottom, finishing with a firm nip to the shoulder. Dear dear, i don't deserve friends? Not like Kairi and Sora? Whys that then? she played with her soft tone of lyrics, her seductive voice taking over her usual evil one. I think it would be safe to say you too, don't deserve friends either, talking to an inocent mare in such a manner? she paused, and sighed, dropping her head and shaking it. Then her harks flashed back and teeth were bared once again. Discraseful. she spat, stamping both her forelegs down into the sandy ground at the same time. The dark bay mare whipped her body around so her hind now faced Riku, she began to back up slowly, flicking her dark black cord sharply. she halted, then drew her right hind leg up a little, but didn't strike, she placed it back down and began to back up to him once again, flicking her tail, she didn't stop reversing until she felt her hind touch with his front, then she turned her head round to the right so she could see him Poor poor little Riku... she cooed, swinging her head wildly and laughing loudly, it was an evil laugh, not one that carried warmth or joy.

[azul.]

R I K U

...Where fears and lies melt away.

She was just, smirking... She was enjoying my despair. Why? They would normally help, but they were gone now, weren't they? This just had to work out in the end. It just had to. In fairy tales, the characters are always together in the end, but this wasn't a fairy tale. This was like my own personal nightmare, and I was the only pawn. It was tiring, it was scary, but it was my life. What else could I do? I was second-guessing myself, but how could I stop, when my mind says no, and my emotions say yes? I just didn't know anymore, so why should I bother holding onto that light? I can just sink into darkness. That way, no one would find me anymore. That would be good. I cannot bare to see myself like this anymore.

I could feel her on me. I could fel her teeth, grazing across the ridge in my neck. I shivered. My breath was shaking. No, I wouldn't let her control me. My teeth flashed against her head, and I snapped out in anger. Bitter anger, she was winning, and I couldn't let her. I fought back, I succumbed to the darkness fully. I was... Heartless. But I was winning that personal battle. So I kept going. My teeth continued to try and rip and tear at her flesh. But she walked away, in the midst of his melt down.

"Shut up. You don't deserve them."

My voice was hardly above a ragged whisper. Her frame turned towards me. She strode backwards, until she touched my steel tinted chest. I backed away from her, my eyes glaring, studying her. She spoke of my name. I felt like a little child, she felt that mock pity, on me. Why?! My teeth bared again, but instead, my stature rose up onto hind legs, my fore legs reaching out, and striking the Kairi look-a-like. I clawed at her frustratedly, all the while screaming. I was screaming in fear, in hate... But really, I was screaming for them.

"Shut up! Just shut up!"

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

Sophie pinned her harks back, her head snapped up and she pawed out at Riku How dare you attack me!!! she roared, returning all four hooves to the ground, she whipped her body around and this time, did not only raise a leg, but struk out, hard, with both her hinds, wanting to make a strong contact with the others breast bone. She swung back round and leapt forward so she butted her skull against his. What makes you think i will do what you want? she spat, baring her teeth, she snapped out at his muzzle but stepped back Do you really expect me to show any sympathy? she snarled, ha asif, Sophie showed sympathy for no-one, especially not spoilt little colts who knew nothing. If you were such a 'big boy' you wouldn't need your so called friends would you she hissed through gritted teeth.
The mare felt Riku rise, his forelegs pounded down onto her back, making her squeal loudly, a sharp, pain shot up her spine she darted forward, and kicked up her back legs again, this time, aiming higher than the breast.
She circled his at a slow canter, then charged towards him, knocking his head with hers once again, harder this time. I said... she paused, and forced more pressure onto his crown, pushing forwards, her pillars taking small steps. Don't touch me.

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[azul.]

R I K U

...Music in time.

She was upset that I attacked her?! She came to me, and she could have blatantly passed by... But, could she? I ws literally going insane. I had been screaming, crying, kicking at the air, assured that they were still alive, but they are, aren't they? No, I can't think that. They are alive, I just knew it. I could feel those glands of adrenaline pump through my veins. That smooth liquid, it ran through me as quick as it could, making me breath harder, and begin to grow flighty. Her body, much like Kairi's began to shove back towards me. The earth trembled faintly as her stature, malicious and vile struck out at me. Me, of anoyone else in the world! I can't believe that stupid creature would try to attack- me. I deserved it, for being so ignorant to them. I was so proud of myself, which wasn't bad, but I put them down. "Look out Riku!" My jade eyes, tinted with slight rays of blue widened in determination as the female kicked out. I couldn't sense it, but I just felt that Sora and Kairi were there with me. They were helping me fight. I have to keep going. My mind yelled at me to dodge before my body could even react. Just merely, by the skin of my teeth, they'd always say, I sidled out of the lethal attack of her hooves. Why was I still crying? I felt angry now, but could a Heartless feel anger or sadness? But was I Heartless, or was I a Nobody? No, I couldn't be a Nobody. I was me. I was real, but I had succumbed to darkness, so I was just as bad.

"Stop talking!"

Stop... Please, you have to! I didn't know reality from fantasy anymore. I didn't know where to go... To the light, or to the dark. To Sora and Kairi, or to Maleficent and the others. Be surrounded by love, or have the ultimate power. Why couldn't I decide? I hadn't had a great experience in either of those categories. But, Kairi and Sora... They were so loving. They would forgive, they would forgive me. I just hoped so. I prayed so. If they did, my decision would be much easier, I think. But, my mind was scrambled after that. Whether it be from the thick-skulled female, or my ever-lasting thoughts, it just turned fuzzy, and I released a bitter note. It was wrenched from me, and I regret emitting it, but what could I do now? "Don't let her boss you around, Riku!" Who was that speaking to me now? It wasn't them. They would try to stop me; tell me it wasn't worth it. Could this be Maleficent, trying to make me show my ruthless side? For that one moment, I was that Nobody Riku, deadly and sinister.

"You're going to have to do better than that!"

My voice was ghastly and malicious. I glared at the look-a-like's form, as she kicked out again. I could hear her hooves clash against my neck, but why couldn't I feel it? In the back of my mind, I could hear Kairi and Sora speak. Their voices were begging me to stop, and I tried to listen, but it was like Xenahort and Maleficent were in charge of me again. I was just their tool in life. It couldn't work, I tried to fight them but I lost. I had to succumb to darkness to have that power I needed to win. But I was a monster when I was a Nobody, and they couldn't see me like that. Back into the reality, I trembled with fury as the Kairi look-a-like kept pushing at my steel tinted body. I backed quickly, and lifted my body upwards. Screaming a whistling holler, I clawed my front legs at her thin face, my pants growing louder, and deeper. This had to stop.

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

The rage building inside her head was almost unbarable, she let him speak his words, he had a right to do that, but tell her what to do? No way. She sidled up to him, her quick reactions managing to dodge his flaying hooves by centimetres, she felt the wind near her head. A cold wind, a wind that carried death upon its shoulders. And if I don't stop? she spat, pounding her hooves hard into the frozen, cold ground underfoot. She would teach this mindless youngster a thing or too.
Clacking her teeth and closing them around his nostrils, gripping firmly, and closing harder and harder. Time to kill, you can kill now Sophie, no going back, no going back... voices rang inside her head, voices of her childhood, back with her fathers herd. Gripping harder, Sophies eyes almost closed, concentrating all of her power on seriously harming the young brute. She was unawre of her surrounding, the familiar lands of the battlefeilds were slowly slipping away from her, and the burning of hot rocks was taking over. Snapping her eyes open and pulling back from Riku, she gasped loudly, legs sprayed over the ground. Back here? voices rang in her head. She was back at the Lava Dump, where she had successfully won and killing her opponant when she was just 5 years old, she looked behind her, she father stood proudly, watching her, he gave a slight nod of his head and vanished. Sophie wheeled her body around sharply and looked over the lands Come Back! she screamed, but he didn't. She was stunned to silence, hallucinations from the past, they happened every so often. Blinking sharply, the dark bay turned her body slowly bak around, there, lying on the floor, was the body of her opponant, not quite dead yet, but she kne what to do, her father had told her Now Sophie, do it now! in her hallucination, she rose onto her back legs and brought her fronts down hard onto the loosing brute, hearing a loud crunch, then nothing. Opening her eyes, Sophie found herself on her hinds, loosing height No! she cried out. With all her might, she twisted her body so her hooves missed Riku. She had wanted to kill the other, but not Riku. Not poor Riku. She couldn't kill him, he was killing himself.

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[azul.]

R I K U

... I watch you, fast asleep.

"C'mon man, ignore her. She's the one who stopped, just leave. Be the bigger man." I don't think I can Sora, I don't think I can. "Riku? Riku! Please, it's me. Please, please, just leave her alone. You don't have to prove anything, we know it, and, just... Please!" My heart, for that moment, stopped. Kairi and Sora were right, and inside those words, I could hear Namine, begging me, along side them. But how, how could I let this go? This wasn't me! Xenahort, Ansem, whatever he went by, was controlling me now. He had to be. That was the only logical answer... But, was that really logical? Someone I met in real life was now inside me, leaving his Heartless trail behind in me. He ruled my life, and that wasn't... Believable, was it? Was it even real? I knew that Xenahort was controlling me, but why didn't anyone help m- Oh, that's why. I didn't tell anyone. I was afraid of them finding me. I didn't want to be found. Not like this.

My attention, it kept wandering, from my racing, reeling thoughts, to the look-a-like. Her body rose, it rose high into the air, so I met her. She reached out to latch onto my mug with her teeth. Those sharp, glinting teeth. I shuddered, and threw my silver tinted, dished crown backwards. In doing so, I failed to realize that when my head goes backwards, it pulls my body backwards. So I began to fall. It was like slow motion, my frame hurtling towards the earth. My silver, almost light purple tinted mane flew ahead of me, blocking my vision. I didn't mind it anyway, my jade, blue green eyes were closed tightly, waiting for the impact of my skull hitting the stiffened, battle toned grounds. It did. My frame shivered for a few moments, the smell of blood seeping from my poll. My eyes opened, and they rolled back into my head. I appeared ghastly, my steel tinted mane growing dark, my body lifeless. I really had to do it to win, didn't I? But now, I couldn't. I was just too out of it.

Barely, I could hear the look-a-like scream. It was scared. It sounded fearful, frightened. The voice retreated for a few minutes, giving me time to think. Or at least, listen to Sora and Kairi. "Riku?! Riku! Wake up, please! C'mon man, wake up!" My eyes were still glazed over, but they didn't look the same. They posessed Xenahort's coloring, amber tinted, with flecks of bright yellow inside them. I had given in to him, but I was basically asleep with my eyes open, and the pain was registering, fast. The eyes shut tight, and I blinked back tears. This really hurt. I could see the look-a-like's hooves dangle above my crown, and I knew, I was needing death. But I didn't want to die, so I didn't. She landed away from me.

I was still alive, I could still feel pain, but I couldn't feel these true emotions. It was just as bad as not feeling life itself. It seemed like an eternity that I layed there on the turf, and whe I finally rose, I rose to avoid the stare of the look-a-like. That crimson liquid dripped down my skull, from the base of my neck, and I could see a pool on the ground beneath me. I just stared at it. That was from me. That was the blood of Ri-Who was it from? Xenahort, or Riku? It had to be Xenahort, but why did Riku hurt? Why did I hurt? It wasn't my head that hurt much. It did hurt, but my heart hurt more. It longed for the affection from them. I longed for them. Slowly, my body moved forward. First, my thin legs moved at a rocky, stumbling pace. I thrashed around, my mouth foaming from the lack of water. All at once, I move faster and faster, until I was galloping. "Riku, stop! Stop, you just need to think! We'll come back for you, I promise!" My body quit working before my mind did. I fell again, this time taking a face first routine. And this time, I didn't try to get up. I just layed on the earth, peacefully inhaling a short, ragged breath. I wished for death, I wished for them. I didn't know what to wish for anymore. It seemed like I was out of wishes.

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

The dark bay mare stumbled slightly, the twist she had made to her attack had made her unbalanced, her right hoof hit the ground at an angle, making her fall that way, she recovered herself just before her dial smashed into the ground, but her right foreleg was badly injured, it scraped along the rocky surface of the ground, Sophie closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth together hard. Standing back up she glared across at Riku, nothing but a lifeless figure, blood seeping from his head. What is happening to me? Sophie longed to laugh at him, show no pity, crash her hooves down onto his head, a small cry escaped her kissers Why? Why can't I do it? in her mind, her body rose again, she saw herself crash down onto his dial, leaving him dead, but why couldn't she do that now? What was stopping her? Her dark coat held a heavy sweat, her sides were heaving in and out, a foam frothing from her jaw. She just stared at Riku, her head was drooping slightly. Inside, she was screaming, she hated this fool, but why, on the outside, could she do nothing but stare at him and feel pity. She took a small step forward and extended her neck towards him, blinking a few times, she touched his neck with her soft, velvety muzzle. Riku... her vocals were, for once, soft, silky, but still a little evil, she would always carry that in her tone. She was still Sophie, listen to me, listen child. It's me, kill him...finish him off, i mean it, kill him NOW! her fathers voice rung in her head, he was dead, how could she still hear him? Was he watching her?
Eventually, Riku rose from the ground, his reactions were fast, he took off. Sophie raised her head, whipping it around, she squealed loudly, How dare he run away from her?! and launched into a gallop after him, she was right on his tail, almost touching it, so when he suddenly fell, Sophie felt herself collide with his hind, she closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the impact to come, it did, but only along her legs and side, her head was protected by Riku's body, it bounced lightly onto his coat, and slid off onto the ground. She lay lifeless, in shock mostly, but also in pain, she closed her eyes again, then opened them a few minutes later, her vision was blurry, the distant surroundings of the Battlegrounds were spinning around her, she felt dizzy, and sick, she closed her eyes, opened them again, and groaned lightly, she lifted her head up to lick at a wound on her shoulder, however, she had no strength, her dial slammed back down to the ground. Riku... she whispered, she hardly heard her lyrics herself, and was unsure if the brute could hear them either. She closed her eyes and lay, almost unconcious, there, beside Riku.

[azul.]

R I K U

... All I fear, means nothing.

The time I spent, glued to the ground, I was able to come back to that old Riku. I still had Xehanort inside me. I think I always would, but for now, I was that young, tenacious colt who hung out with Sora and Kairi. Oh, how I missed myself. I missed myself like this. The minutes passed by, and I remained still on the ground. My breathing had since returned to normal. I breathed quietly, my nostrils flaring and inhaling the clouded, dust infested air. My blue green tinted eyes began to sharpen. Now, I could tell where I was. I stared in front of me. I could see the ground, and the sky, and some various scenery ahead. I didn't care. I just wanted to be back on the island with Sora and Kairi. I even missed Selphie and her gang. I missed my parents, I just... I missed my old life. Why couldn't I go back to that time? It would be easier for me, and we could all be whole again.

But I wasn't on the island anymore. I wanted to get away from the island, and so here I was. But still, I thought we'd be together. I'd have to make do with what I have now, but this Kairi look-a-like was making it harder. I could hear another equine fall beside me. It had to be her, last I remembered, she ran after me. So she probably fell, and I could hear an echoing word. It was so quiet, that I could hear her words, despite the small, hushed voice she took on. Riku. No, don't say it. You don't deserve to know me, you can't know me. Wait, you only knew one side of me. You knew this Xehanort stallion, who dspised life, and who was a worthless Nobody. I was Heartless. She spoke my name again, Riku. This time, I responded. Not in words, not yet. My auduals twitched backwards, and my legs tightened. In one heaving motion, I stood up, shaking my dished crown. The area where I had bled was stiff. My gray tinted, almost purple toned tassels had clumped up, and one chunk was eerily toned into a crimson color. Now, I stared at her, my blue green eyes bright. They were blank.

"Don't be afraid of the darkness. You can't let fear stop you."

My voice wasn't the same. It wasn't normal, it was lik Xehanort's. Deep and almost regal, I spoke those words to myself. I couldn't be afraid of the Darkness. There was darkness in every heart. I just felt like that darkness ruled over me. I had to take control. I have to take my heart back. So I stared at the look-a-like again, shaking my crown. She was a Heartless to me, nothing else. "Riku, don't. You need to help her, even if she is bad." Kairi, I can't. Not this time. I have to leave. I have to. So I did. My legs began to move again, and I turned sharply, moving off in another direction. I don't care if she followed me. It wouldn't change where I was at. It wouldn't change me on the inside. I don't even think I could change anymore, but I have to try. I had to try for them.

[lynx'']

S O P H I E

The dark bay mare stood up when he did, matching his glare, she narrowed her eyes, he was turning her soft, why? Why did Riku have such an effect on her? She shook her skull, pain seared through her body, her whole right side was stiff, and her dial was cut a little. Don't be afraid of darkness, you can't let fear stop you... She listened to his words, but they just raged her even more. Scared of darkness? she spat, a sarcastic tone being used. He took off, again. Why did he keep running from her? She started after him, not at her usual flat out pace, but she was still going pretty fast. Why do you keep running Riku?! she screamed at the top of her voice You can't run from darkness, you can't be afraid of it. Come back darling. Her lyrics screamed across the grounds, she wouldn't give up. This stupid little boy needed to learn a lesson.

[azul.]

R I K U

... In you and I, there's a new land.

Now, she was trying to turn my words against me. This was why I needed them, so much. I long for them. "Riku, keep going. You don't need to prove anything. She's not worth it." Kairi and Sora were right, but there was a third member, speaking to me. "Riku, come on. Do as I say. You, are the source all heartless!" No, Xehanort. Why was he still here? Had he just, intertwined himself into my life? This wasn't fair! Everyone lived a normal life, and I had a piece of some ruthless creature in me! He was sewn into my heart, and I just couldn't deal with it. I had to take the quickest route out, but every route turned me in circles, back to him. I was lost, inside and out. These changing times were unbearable, and I couldn't escape.

"You... You're the source of all Heartless. Not me."

My voice was strangely quiet, and calm. I wasn't sure if she could hear me, because she was rapidly gaining on me at a gallop. I wasn't running away. From life, maybe I was, but not from her. She didn't deserve my locked away emoti- "Riku, you don't have emotions, remember? You're a Nobody, a Heartless!" No Xehanort, you are a Heartless. I'm not going to follow your games any longer. They were alike. Wait, no, not me and Xehanort. Xehanort and this look-a-like were the same. They were both sadistic, and they wanted a poor, helpless creature in their lives. Well guess what, I'm not that pawn in your games. My jaw clenched, well until it made my skull ache, where the open wound seeped a new layer of crimson blood. This was ridiculous now. My mind processed with a growing anger, until I thought back to the island. This was like a sprint with Sora and myself. I always won, and I would win now. Our little duels, this was like one now, only bigger. I was representing Sora and Kairi. She was representing... Frankly, I didn't know. So I bucked, and slammed my forelegs into the turf, halting as quickly as I could. Snorting with a burning determination, I shifted my weight, and dashed off into the next direction, back to where I was before.

"I can't go back to the darkness. I can't. Hikari. I need it, I need the light. I can't lose."

So I wouldn't let her win. I whispered the words to myself, as I galloped forward, but I had a path now. I had that imaginary path, leading to the light. So I ran. I ran my friends, and I wasn't stopping, not for what my old life was worth. I was doing this for them.