(Friendship) Mickey & Riku Replica - Florence Nightingale

[takesyoubytheheart]

Mickey hadn't exactly planned on finding anyone, or even anything, in the realm of darkness. So finding the boy with Riku's face had been a rather great shock - especially considering that, as far as Jiminy's notes went, this boy was supposed to have vanished. It was beyond bizarre, but he couldn't just leave the clone there.

With an 'oof' and a grunt, Mickey had managed to carry the boy all the way back to his kingdom - the castle was large enough to house many guest rooms. He had given instructions to all the servants not to enter unless given direct permission, lest they overwhelm him. Besides, Mickey had his own questions.

So he patiently waited for the 'other' Riku to wake up, setting up a tray of food and tea. No doubt near destruction would cause quite the appetite. 

Comments

[darkimitation]

I'd have figured things out on my own. I don't need anyone's help.

[It's very clear how different he is to Riku the more he talks, but that statement alone was the final nail in the coffin. He does however look around the hallway of the castle.]

... So this entire place is yours, huh? Reminds me of Castle Oblivion, only with a lot more color.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Yeah, says the guy trapped in the realm of darkness... But Mickey decides to let that drop.]

It belongs to both me and my wife, Queen Minnie Mouse. But I like to think it belongs to everyone in the kingdom, too... They can come here anytime if they need our help.

[darkimitation]

[He stops walking and raises an eyebrow. Also jeez Mickey, he was unconscious!]

Shouldn't it only belong to you since you're the ruler? Why share it with other people?

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Mickey looks back at him, the question surprising him.]

Why not share it? A good ruler should always help their people. We're all one big family, and we have to work together to keep things peaceful. It's not too long ago that I lived outside the castle, so I know how hard it can be sometimes.

[darkimitation]

[Mickey's logic gets him questioning some things now.]

Family... Working together... I did that once, with Sora and those two other guys with him to save Namine from Marluxia. Their names are on the tip of my tongue, but I can't seem to remember.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He tilts his head, and lightly approaches the subject, not knowing if this is something the boy wants to tread, or if he should back off.]

... Do you want to know their names?

[darkimitation]

[He only nods slightly. Even if his mind is a jumbled mess, it's the least he can do.]

... I do. Because this is going to sound weird but, I'm remembering things I'm pretty sure shouldn't be. Like a time when I was standing in front of a door. A large door in some dark place, I saw Sora and those two closing this door from the other side of it. I even told Sora to take care of some girl whose name I can't remember either, yet her face is clear to me. She looks like Namine, only her hair is a different color.

[takesyoubytheheart]

... Kairi.

[He answers, with a half smile.]

Her name is Kairi. Namine was her Nobody. She's a strong, great girl who has a special bond with both Sora and Riku.

[darkimitation]

So that's her name... Kairi.

[He says her name then feels a jolt of pain rush through his head. He holds it again from said pain as he stops walking. It's like his mind is fighting between him remembering things that the real Riku would as the memories are rushing through his mind and what Namine implanted into his head.]

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Mickey gasps in shock and horror, and he holds his hands up, ready to cath the boy if he fell forward.]

O-Oh no! Are you okay? Talk to me, do you need to lay down?

[darkimitation]

[He drops down onto one knee and continues holding his head. More memories are flooding his mind and causing him to feel overwhelmed, on top of the pain pulsating from his head already.]

So many memories. It's overwhelming. [He looks really ill too, like he might hurl or pass out as the onslaught keeps going.] Ahhhh! Make it stop!

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He almost calls out "Riku" as the boy's name, but manages to suppress it. Instead he moves to hold the boy close in a tight hug.]

Look at me... look at me! Just focus on here and now. Here and now... Say it after me, here and now...

[darkimitation]

[When he feels Mickey grab him into a hug, he has a knee-jerk reaction by pushing him away with one hand and glaring at him fiercely.]

Get away from me! [He then lets out a loud scream before beginning to glow with an aura of darkness surrounding his body. This actives the darkness from inside of him and switches on his Dark Mode, so now he'll be cloaked in a familiar garb. Though between putting out so much darkness and the pain, he's feeling woozy and tired. Thus he falls over onto his side on the floor, panting heavily while trying not to fall unconscious.]

[takesyoubytheheart]

... I guess our stroll... will have to wait for another day.

[He comes to the boy's side, showing no fear for his own safety. In fact, Mickey won't mind too much if he gets hurt or worse. What matters is getting the boy back to bed and letting him rest.

He gently begins trying to lift the boy up, as he done in the realm of darkness. There is bit of a sting as he touches him, from the darkness, but he pulls through, heading back for the guest room.]

[darkimitation]

Let... go of me.

[He tries to fight back against Mickey, even if he's feeling himself getting tired. He doesn't want Mickey's help anymore. He doesn't want to remember anything more. He just wants everything to stop.]

I don't... want your help.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Nope, he's still heading back to the guest room. Fortunately they hadn't gotten very far, so it's a relatively short walk back. No matter how hard or painfully the boy fights back, he's not letting go until he's back in bed.]

I guess you don't have all of Riku's memories about me... or else you'd know that I'm a pretty stubborn fella, just like you. When I do something, I see it through to the end.

I won't abandon you.

[darkimitation]

[He's still heavily panting between his words, though he lets out a small chuckle.]

... No, I'm pretty sure I do. I just can't recall any at the moment. [He then decides it's not worth fighting anymore however, and answers Mickey's other words.] You should abandon a fake like me. I'm not the real Riku, you have no reason to care about me.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Arriving back at the bedroom, he lays the boy back down on the bed, and even begins to pull up the blankets so he's nice and comfortable.]

... Helping others always comes before asking others for help. That's what I live by. I don't need any reason to help you.

[darkimitation]

[He simply watches Mickey do what he's doing and doesn't protest.]

I'm still not Riku. You were friends with him, not me. You're helping someone who took everything your friend had, even his ability to manipulate the darkness.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He'll pat the pillow too, make sure it's nice and fluffy.]

You did what you thought was best for Namine. And you might've been selfish here and there... but who isn't? Nobody's perfect.

[darkimitation]

[He scoffs and laughs just a bit.]

More like I was manipulated by the Organization. I only cared about Namine once she put false memories into my head, yet... some part of me still cares about her now.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Maybe you'll see her again someday. C'mon now, all this arguin' isn't gunna get you to sleep.

[darkimitation]

[Part of him did want to sleep, but he was also partly afraid.]

I told Riku I wasn't afraid of death, but now... I don't want to close my eyes. Because part of me thinks I won't wake up again.

[takesyoubytheheart]

... You won't disappear. I promise.

[He moves the blanket a little, in order to take the boy's hand.]

Here. Just hold onto me. I'll be here until you wake back up. Okay?

[darkimitation]

[His eyes lower briefly, still uncertain of why Mickey cared so much. However, his heart was slowly opening up to the idea of it.]

... I still don't understand why you care so much, but I have one favor to ask. [He looks away for a moment, then turns back to Mickey before taking hold of his hand to signify he wanted to hold it.] Will you help me choose a new name for myself? I'd rest easier knowing that instead of Riku, I have a name that's all my own.