kingdomdressing | (no subject)

[Okay, part of him could understand the angle Riku was coming from. Granted, he's still not entirely sure that would have been the case, but it's not lost on him that his choice in attacking the remaining members of the Organization all by himself was probably not his most brilliant idea. But honestly, at the time he saw that as his only option; he wasn't much of a planner and he had no friends left in the world.

And then what happened between him and Xion had pushed him into one of those little rage-binges where he thought he really could just muscle his way through and crush his former cohorts. But then in defense of how things were now, he'd seen the worlds through Sora's eyes and had time to understand his own feelings a little better.

He's had time to see that there's always a way.

As Riku lashes out at him, he parries again, figuring he'll make one more effort to reason with him. Truth be told, he was demanding answers that he didn't have and while he suspected that this was more than just a fight, he really didn't know what more he could do.]

It was the only option I thought I had! I didn't have anyone else! Even you knew that at least out there somewhere, Kairi was waiting for you! Who did I have?!

[His voice goes quiet, almost sad.]

I'd just told Axel that I felt he'd picked the Organization over me and I'd just erased my only other friend. No one was left that cared about me. And no one would've missed me if I'd been destroyed... and I had no idea about Sora.

[He shakes his head at that idea.]

No, even if I knew about that, it wouldn't have mattered to me.

[There's a moment of silence.]

But it's different now... Xion's sleeping -she's counting on me to wake her! There's also a world out there with so many people! Axel must be alive out there somewhere, waiting for us.

And if Sora's sleeping again, then... I'll just add figuring out a way to save us all to my list then.

[His stance changes. There's something more assured, more resolved and just more certain in the way he carries himself. The way he carries his Keyblade reflects his renewed determination as he stands ready to finish this.]

So if you still want to try taking me back. Then I guess I'll just have to save you after I save everyone else.

[Another counter and Riku was sliding back yet again but this time, he was a lot more graceful in his footing than the time before. Grunting to himself before looking to Roxas again from behind the blindfold. Again, listening... probably more than Riku seemed like he ever would have before. Or perhaps he really would have given Roxas this chance had that been the way the nobody would have approached it in the first place. It was hard to say, especially since the Roxas from the now knew so much more than the Roxas from the then.

All this talk... The more he heard it... the more Roxas really did sound like him. And that... drew a sad chuckle out of him. Something that might seem almost uncharacteristic of him for the front he put on.]

You really are his nobody... [He clicked his tongue and then sighed audibly. His keyblade lowered although his attention definitely remained on Roxas undeniably. Brows furrowed as they always were. He gripped the hilt hard for a moment before he relaxed it once more.]

All this talk about saving everyone... means nothing if you can't prove it. And sometimes? Some people don't want to be saved.

[And taking a step closer.]

As for Xion, the truth is she knew all there was. About Sora's memories that she took and about what she was doing to you. She spent weeks trying to decide what to do. But it was her choice, not mine, for her to return.

[His voice suddenly becoming a little more than withdrawn.]

The same choice I would have given you if you hadn't done something so reckless.

[Some things, were inescapable. It frustrated part of him really, that constant comparison. It both couldn't be helped and yet shouldn't be expected. Riku loved playing that card and Roxas despised him for the insinuation that he was just a copy -a badly drawn rendition of the person he was derived from.

Still he heard him without an outburst to counter, as much as he would have just wanted to cut him off... and down. And then with the last of it said and done, he shakes his head.]

And I would've turned you down flat all the same.

[The news about Xion, something made him wonder what Riku was getting at before the pieces seemed to click together in his head. When her behavior became particularly erratic, those times he felt so weakened and fatigued when she was on top of her game and the nature of her existence.

It all made sense. Their power -their life back then, possibly even now was shared. Like two people balancing on a scale in cages over water; except the one that lost too much power drowned.

The tiny smile that creased his face was grim, as if he'd realized that all routes led to annihilation, save for a far off and remote chance. A chance that he was more than willing to gamble on.]

I guess I should thank you for that little bit. It just cleared something up for me. But while she made her choice back then, that was then and this is now. This time she's sleeping because her memories are all tangled up.

Naminé said it was something about the world we just entered. I'm sure that at this time, she wants to be saved.

[His posture shifts, defensive yet his legs don't seem as firmly set to the ground as they were -he's stepping lightly, circling. He's expecting he'll need to move quickly soon.]

Anyway, are you done yet? I don't know why Sora's sleeping again... but this time, I'm going to make sure this ends better.

[There was that resolve again, that defiance. Unless Riku expressed interest in trying things differently, it was fairly clear that the Nobody was losing his patience to converse.]

Heh... Guess this is it then. [No more words. No more games. No more excuses. Nothing but a test of strength and will. But then... those were the rules that Riku seemed to abide by best. The one who took down the other had the right to follow through with their choices. It was fitting. So, that that, he flourished Way to the Dawn to the side while with the other hand, he peeled away the blindfold. Unlike last night, he remained as he was. Ansem, or Xehanort's Heartless to be more accurate, perhaps would remain just as a memory. But then... as he opened his eyes.

Blue. Not the almost teal of the ocean that hugged the islands but a distinct blue. A blue like the sky. A blue like Roxas' own eyes.

And a blue like Xion's.

And they blinked, the stain glass below them cracked slightly. But if Riku noticed that. Or Roxas' would be reaction, he didn't show it as he made to charge, conjuring up a dark firaga his way.]

[Roxas mused to himself that it took long enough. He was annoyed to no end that if Riku wasn't even going to try doing things another way, to stop making what he viewed as the same stupid mistake all over again he would've just kept his mouth shut. It was wasted time. There was no telling how long had passed outside in the world and he still had no real clue as to what he would be looking for while in Xion's memories -or at least having all of that 'rechained' or whatever it was Naminé said; something that had to do with him.

He was braced when he saw the blindfold come off; as if expecting a reply, he stood ready to react to that fast-move trick, but instead found something strange. Digging through his memories of what Sora saw, he didn't remember Riku's eyes being like that... especially not being like hers.

The outbreak of battle yanked his attention away from such details. Seeing his opponent charge and try to clear the way with his signature spell, put him back into fight or flight tendencies. The Nobody charged to counter-attack, a sweep of Aubade in front of him dispelled the offensive magic as he leapt into the air. His other hand reached overhead, grasping on nothing and calling Two Become One to his hand as he descended with a vicious overhead slash.]

[Perhaps it was a waste of time... Maybe even time that could have been spared in the thick of things. That could have been spent taking him out and getting to Xion sooner than trying to talk it over. But still, Riku did have his reasons all save for the little reason to trust Roxas. Because even if he was Sora's nobody, he was just so avid about being himself... Somehow, saving everyone? Just sounded like a sermun more than a reality.

Riku didn't seem to flinch even as the dark firaga perished, choosing to barrel straight through. He ducked under Roxas. Just in time, too. As Roxas hit the ground just a hair's breath from where Riku had been seconds ago. And then the teenager was swinging back and around with Way to the Dawn towards Roxas' exposed back. Better move fast.

In the meantime, the floor below them continued to slowly crackle away, the warm light that spawned from it starting to dim just a little. But nothing really distinct. At least not yet.]

[It was strange. Amidst the duel, he could feel so many feelings he hadn't noticed before. Rather, not all at once and not at this strength. Determination, hope, belief and conviction flaring in perfect sync with the drive to do one thing: prove himself. Nothing for his own pride, nothing selfish, but to prove to this Riku that he could overcome him and that by overcoming him, he would make that reality of saving everyone come true.

The more he dwelt upon the matter, the more it really did sound like either Sora or just some random flight of fancy. Perhaps in doing this, in believing that he could do all this, he was just shrinking the gap of things that separated him from his Somebody. Perhaps if he was to be returned, this time he would just completely merge and lose himself.

Maybe. But then perhaps not, he considered. There were still things that made him different. Roxas' memories, his experiences, his feelings, attachments and motivations -there were worlds of differences between himself and Sora. Which made it alright from where he stood; it was alright to walk the same path.

He watched as Riku evaded his blow, his grip on Aubade shifting as he swings back at an awkward angle to try and deflect the incoming strike. If he's fortunate and his gambit to try and catch Way to the Dawn on his Keyblade's rain guard worked, he'd pull forward and try to yank his foe off-balance before sweeping around in a low-kick to face him. ]

[Well, it wasn't much of a stretch to consider such a statement close to home. It was something that Sora lived by- and something that Riku perhaps wished that Roxas could see as well. But Roxas... was Roxas. Even if the Sora side to him could be triggered, that was just a side built from Sora's memories. It didn't change the fact that he wanted so much to be himself- that that was the reason why he was seeking excuse after weak excuse in Riku's eyes. At least that was the front he held. Meeting his replica and meeting Xion... People, even mere replicas as some would put it, could change someone... but that only made things more difficult when facing up to those who were the bane of his sleeping friend's right to live.

Fortunately for Roxas, his move did catch Riku's keyblade just as he had hoped... although it didn't end exactly as he planned. If only due to Roxas floating around in Sora for a little too long. Riku followed through instead of resisting, bringing himself down to have that kick miss him. Although he hit the ground pretty roughly either way, the glass underneath shattering from the impact although it somehow held its rigid form. Riku, himself, had twisted his body. Enough that he had a free hand reaching out to latch at Roxas' one leg and try to bring him down with him. Turning what would usually be a battle keyblade to keyblade into a potential fist fight.]

[He didn't pay any mind to the damage the surroundings were suffering. It seemed to him that there was little point in worrying about something that wasn't directly threatening him and he couldn't precisely control. Besides, he didn't think he should give his opponent something to distract him with. The stakes were high once again. But after their last duel, Roxas was determined to emerge the victor; he would accept nothing less of himself and would fight until his body vanished in the swirling miasma of a terminated Nobody.

However there was that part of his thoughts there were pointing out that he'd talked pretty big a few moments ago and having the silver-haired boy brush his ambitions aside didn't free him from the responsibility of upholding them. He still wasn't sure where he'd begin, but then neither did Sora when he set out on any of his journeys. And yet, he figured if he just learned from his Somebody and played things by ear; trusted his friends and gave it his best, he too could earn a happy ending. And the first step to that was waking Xion.

Roxas grit his teeth as he tumbled to the ground, the other boy's hand catching his sweep and off-balancing him enough for his momentum to do the rest. Since he was falling and rolling in mid-fall, he struggled to right himself just enough to bring another kick into action. With due luck, the blow would take Riku in the side and send him tumbling as well.

Whatever happened next, the Nobody felt himself hit the ground. Aubade and Two Become One slid across the floor and vanished in a pair of brilliant flares. Hastily, he scrambled to his feet a tried to call his weapons -shocked when he found neither of them responding. His eyes narrowed as he took a fighting stance not too different from what he'd seen Hercules use when Sora visited him in Olympus.

If whatever made the rules here wanted this settled with fists, then Kingdom Hearts help him, he would brawl.]

[Sure, Sora hadn't really known either. Riku might have given him that. But between him and Sora, it was pretty easy to pick out who Riku could trust more. And who was the less reckless of the two. Although admittedly? Sora had really gotten himself into one hell of a mess in Castle Oblivion. Still, the outside forces at work... Now knowing about them? Riku was certain Sora could overcome them. And that was why... among many other reasons...

Of course, it was also times like this when he was comparing Sora and Roxas, when he would look at Sora more favorably especially since the experience factor... that he would look sight in the reminiscing and that had cost him. He was floored before he even realized that had happened. Way to the Dawn spiraling across the floor before simply vanishing. But if Riku seemed caught off guard by that, he didn't show it. Just as Roxas hurried to his feet, so did he. His eyes still that familiar blue hue but sharpened in a way only Riku could do as he took up a stance in brief.

But soon after, he was taking a few jabs at Roxas. Testing the waters. As below, the glass continued to crumble...]

[Good old fists were weapons that Roxas had only some very limited experience with. Ironically, most of what he remembered aside from watching how the Olympian fought alongside Sora, was from the fabricated memories of a couple rather badly-chanced run-ins with Seifer. It seemed not every dispute between the two small gangs of children were settled with Struggle bats.

Thankfully, counter-balancing that was the fact that Roxas was both a fast-learner and just happened to have a significantly meaner streak than his Somebody. Riku's first jab easily broke past his guard and took him in the chest, not enough for noteworthy injury, but more than enough to wake him up. He brought his guard up when the second came, deflecting it properly this time and the third, he parried.

Yes, it wasn't so hard when he thought of the same movements he used when wielding a Keyblade. His range was shorter, but with these being his arms -something that he very literally was connected to, he could react faster and make them work in different ways because he had his hands to work with too.

A glance to his peripheral forced him to realize that the ground was giving. The Nobody minded his footing as he began his counter-offensive. He drove forward, using his elbow to both guard and effectively as a battering ram as he tried to force his way through Riku's defenses. If he could get past that, his other fist would immediately go rocketing at point-blank for his foe's gut.]

[Unlike Roxas, Riku had had more experience fighting bear-handed. Wrestling, rather. Considering the antics back on the island, as much as it was child's play back then, it gave him an advantage on the field. He saw that elbow coming, and with a grunt, brought up his forearm to block it in turn. Sliding back along the glass as Roxas pressed forward but otherwise remaining grounded and more than ready.

As soon as he stopped skidding, Riku let himself readjust for a split second before he was suddenly shoving forward with his other palm, following with his weight to try and upset Roxas balance, most likely a move that would send them both to the floor. But then, that was the idea. Even as the cracks in the glass finally made it to the edges... and then the glass itself started to give there, falling away.]

[ The difference in hand-to-hand skill was showing as Roxas quickly found himself mentally scrambling for balance as his body instinctively tried its best to stay grounded properly. He braced against the push, but the foot on his back leg slipped. To his surprise, his front leg had been set well enough that rather than directly stumble, he pivoted around on it and in that split-second, he found a peculiar inspiration in this mishap.

He twisted his body to the side, Riku's momentum now pushing past him and deflecting the Nobody aside from his line of force. At this range, if the silver-haired boy was paying attention, he might see the blond grin his most wicked grin ever.

Roxas followed the twisting motion, adding his weight to it so that it was sped up significantly. If his balance had been in jeopardy before, this was certainly going to be an all-or-nothing gambit to either keep or lose it. As he whirled about, he swung his leg up in a vicious roundhouse kick angled high and hopefully aimed for the back of Riku's head now.

If fortune was on his side, he had his hunches that he'd need to end this fight before their ground shattered. Of course, no telling how he'd get out of things period even if he won. But there'd be time to figure that out later, he mentally assured himself. ]

[Riku had been expecting Roxas to fight his way through. That much was for certain. No matter what, it just seemed like their fate to disagree. To be on opposite sides of the field. Which in a way... it was really too ironic considering who Roxas came from. But then perhaps not.

But what he didn't expect was that suddenly move he moved. Was it sheer luck or had he underestimated the nobody? Whatever the case, it didn't change the impact that while it didn't hit his head as intended, Roxas certainly nailed him right in the back and sent him grounded momentarily. Riku heaved a few painful breaths from the floor. But him submitting from that one blow? Was a little more than unlikely. Soon enough, he was twisting around to find his feet again, turning so that he could throw out a kick in the direction Roxas was. It wasn't really aimed and wasn't really meant to harm him. More to draw him away so he could gather himself more properly.

All the while, the platform... which had originally started giving away at a slow pace. Suddenly seemed to have a sudden increase in speed.]

[He hadn't been expecting the retaliatory kick, but his reflexes were good enough that he hopped back, moving just barely out of range. A cursory glance around their arena of sorts revealed that their time was very quickly running out and he was running out of space to move. Considering his usual preference for hit-and-run tactics, this situation was growing worse with each passing second.

And yet with all that was on the line, he refused to yield.

No sooner had Roxas' feet touched the ground from his hop back than did he charge at full speed and hurl a dashing punch at his recovering foe's jaw. With their ground rapidly vanishing, he didn't even need a knock-out at this point, he just needed to off-balance him and send him off into the murky depths below.

Of course, odds were, both of them were going down that way at this point. It was just a matter of who was going first.]

[Unfortunately for Roxas? Riku was more than ready for something like that. He could blame Sora later for the way his hand reached out and latched at Roxas' wrist. And then Riku was using the momentum that the nobody had built to try and throw him off balance again. Right towards the edge of the scattering platform. His breathing was becoming a little ragged now. The adrenaline rushing through him. But there was a smirk to mirror the one that Roxas had given previously. Oh yeah, he had seen it. And now he was returning it.]

[Mentally, Roxas cursed to himself as he'd found that he'd woefully underestimated how quickly his opponent could react. Immediately he set to work on a counter-measure. Whatever awaited down below, he was angry enough that he was going to make sure that Riku's body would break his fall and somehow, he would wipe that unrepentant expression from his face.

As he was drawn toward the edge, his leg snaps out to strike the back of the silver-haired boy's knee. With good fortune and maybe even a little luck, he'd be able to take his legs out and off-balance him enough that a good left-cross to the face would send him over the edge first. At worst if his accuracy didn't fail him, it would at least provide a hiccup in the throw and buy enough time for him to try something new to escape the bind.]

[With the way things were moving, Riku couldn't have even seen that kick coming. His knees were jerking into a kneel before he even realized what had happened. He grunted, his recovery a bit on the slow side. But he saw the intended hit and raised his arm just before it came. His balance failed him at that point and he was sitting on the ground again, but he was far from finished if that floor sweeping kick was any good indication.

If Roxas was intent on getting to see him go first, he would have to try harder. Stubborn as Roxas himself could be, it was hard to match Riku. And he might not have the chance soon anyway as glass continued to fall away. Closing in on them.

[Ever quick on both his thoughts and feet, Roxas did the best he could to recover from the bind that his recklessness had once more gotten himself into. When he found his own legs being swept out from beneath him, he just didn't try to stop. Instead he just let himself go, knees first and he hoped if there was any fairness in the universe that he'd connect at least one of them with Riku's face on his way over the silver-haired boy.

Hit or miss, the Nobody's acrobatics would be pushed to the test as he brought himself down on some of the remaining glass behind his foe; tucking into a neat roll before immediately whirling about in his crouched stance to face him.]

[That knee to the face was pretty much unavoidable given the circumstances he was in and Riku quickly found himself clasping a bleeding nose while his head slammed back against the ground. He gagged out a cry- and was his form flickering? Hair turning darker for a second before lightening again, blue eyes winced and frustrated. And looking up only a few feet from Roxas himself.

Not wanting to give then, he rolled, collecting himself to his knees. Then jerking up to his feet- but that impact from earlier clutched him and he stumbled back, holding his head. One, two, and then the third step hit nothing as the glass shattered underneath it and he started to fall. His hands reaching up, managing to catch the end of the platform momentarily. Hands that turned lithe if Roxas paid mind as the rest of Riku fell out of sight.]

[He was conflicted watching it play out. It was with an almost sick sense of gratification as he watched Riku suffer with his injuries, Roxas' expression turning momentarily curious when his foe's appearance shifted.

This was what he'd wanted from the outset of their duel, wasn't it? He wanted that jerk to tumble off into the hear after, after which the Nobody would just figure out how to save him later. But the longer he watched him stumble back, that part that he'd just figured was irrevocably Sora protested and almost begged for him to render aid.

As Riku neared the edge of the remaining glass, Roxas grit his teeth as his legs moved before he could consciously say that he'd reached a decision. He flopped on his stomach and slid, stopping mere inches from the edge as the silver-haired boy fell. He willed his arm to move faster than he'd ever wanted it to before, reaching and hopefully seizing the other boy's hand with his.]

[One moment, it seemed that his grip would give- The next, a hand was clutched to his. And with that, another flicker rippled through his body.]

[And then his hand was softer. Smaller. And almost limp. With familiar those same familiar blue eyes. Hazy, blurring eyes now, hidden under short black hair. She looked to him, her face pale, white-washed. Murmuring faintly.]

Roxas...?

[And then her hand slipped from his and she was falling away into the dark.]

[Part of him thought that he should have been shocked when he saw Riku's form distort and shift as it had. Part of him said that he wouldn't have expected any of this. And yet, as he'd been fighting that boy, pieces had begun to line up and he'd been forming a guess about all of this.

He'd gone into Xion's mind -or heart or whatever it was that they had. And in the depths of all these thoughts and memories had been Riku. His own recent tangle of memories that had lined up, the things he'd remembered and her own hinting through gesture and even the way she looked at him. He couldn't be certain and odds are, he'd never know. But when he thought things through carefully and then thinking about how much else in both Sora and his own travels that had turned out to be metaphor for something else, Roxas was willing to bet that what he'd been fighting was the guilt she carried as her own personal burden. Or something like that. It was just a guess.

The point was, whatever he'd fought was at least part of Xion.

All of which made it all the easier when he saw her grip slip away from his. Without build-up or any delay, he gripped the edge of the ground cracking and crumbling beneath him and pulled himself over the edge enough to plummet after her.

Falling into the dark, his eyes searched for her, his hand outstretched in case he would touch her before seeing her. And strangely, he didn't feel afraid at all.]

[All his hand would find would be nothing for the longest time. Xion had long since vanished into the dark, not a trace of her to be seen. And meanwhile, Roxas himself would feel as if he were falling for forever. Time almost feeling like it was halted. But just when he might think that he had returned to a nothingness, to not even an outside observer, he was hitting the ground.

It was dimmer than the last and less complex if he were to give it even a glance of attention. Setting a scene he had been refamiliarized with only hours ago. Their last time on the clock tower together hung up in the corner. So small was that panel, perhaps a reflection of thought- and then the crowning piece. An image of he, himself, standing before the gigantic form of Xion's reprogrammed self.

But perhaps what would catch his eye most would be the small framed form of someone familiar laying on the ground nearby in an Organization coat.]

Sometimes we just hit that block, ya know?

Yeah, and it sucks balls. :|

It's alright though

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Happy New Years Post!

/o/ HAPPY FUCKING NEW YEARS.

May this year be less sucky than the last!

We shall see~

That we shall, but I'll figure out how to manage making things better yet.

Oh, will you now~?

You know me, ever the optimist.

You mean ever so troublesome~ /balances out with skepticism

Troublesome? Or AWESOME? /balances with a hint of insanity

Troublesome. Definitely. Troublesome.

Yeah, but you've gotta admit that you probably wouldn't like me as much if I were different.

Dunno. A parallel self of yourself might have been a lot cooler. FFFF~

Oh you... ffff~

1/ You saw that coming. You know it~

2/2

Oh very much so.

So, is it really all that surprising~?