07 ↔ duality

[darkercalling]

// scenario 01 - the angel //

[Riku found his first lookalike very quickly - and it was so intent on taking him out that he almost didn't have time to react. Almost.

No sooner had Riku declared the thing a fake than it came rushing at him, expertly swinging a mechanical sword comparable to Riku's own. Riku can easily guard, but every retaliation he makes has been met with the same effortless defense. When he attacks with light, the other cancels with darkness. It doesn't matter if he tries to play unpredictable. It isn't working.

They've been at this for a while now - back and forth, blow for blow, equally matched and equally as stubborn. Neither one is backing down, but neither can seem to get the upper hand, either. It's like they can predict each other perfectly - and that's exactly the problem.

This doesn't look like it will stop anytime soon, especially if there's nothing to break this seemingly perfect balance of powers.]


// scenario 02 - the shadow //

[It isn't until much later that he finds another source of trouble that looks just like him. ... At least this one has clothes. In fact, he's dressed just like him, cloak and everything. He is missing one thing, though - the aviators blindfold. It makes it all the easier to notice those golden eyes that all but glow with some sort of malice behind them.

Riku isn't impressed. He just wants this over with.]

I didn't think I was that popular.

[He stands straighter, looks himself the double over like he's sizing him up, seeing if he's even worth any effort.]

Let me guess, you want to beat me and take over my life, too?

[The other Riku smiles - a twisted, insincere thing - and laughs at the notion. He takes a single step closer. It would be more menacing, maybe, if Riku really understood the situation.]

Yeah, right. Like I'm some fake trying to be the real me.

[He cocks his head to the side, yellow eyes watching carefully.... and infuriatingly knowingly.]

No. I am you. There's a difference.

[And the only answer Riku cares to give is to go ahead and draw his blade, metal and gears clicking into place as he readies himself for what he's already assuming will be just another hell of a fight.]



(( OoC: Pick your poison and have at it. ♥ ))

Comments

1 please!

[otherness]

[So... things are bad. Roxas can gather that much; he was there when the lights went out. And he's been seeing a lot of people on the Plane lately, except they have wings. It's a bit alarming. He goes to find Riku, and find him he does-- but it's too late. He's locked in combat with some creature that looks just like him.]

Riku!

[They aren't best friends or anything, but Roxas travels with him now-- or at least he intended to-- and that means they have to help each other. He summons his own clockwork Keyblade, then dives right into the center, trying to kick away the angel. He can tell this isn't Riku. Riku's never had wings, not like that, and he's never looked so-- so weird. It's just not him.]

Leave him alone!

scree ♥

[darkercalling]

Roxas!

[Riku's attention snaps to the blond as he jumps between them, and he's just stunned enough by the display that he has to step back and take a second - just a second! - to regroup. The angel is caught just as far off of his guard, and though the kick does send it stumbling backward a few paces, it ultimately just gets pissed off and starts running forward, driven by that intent to kill. And anything or anyone that gets in its way, well... they're all fair game, as far as it's concerned.]

Get out of my way!

[The angel swings at Roxas, hoping to knock him aside with a single blow so it can be rid of him and return its attention to destroying the real Riku.

Good thing Riku's not having that. Whether or not Roxas dodges, Riku has a mass of dark energy - mist magic - forming in his hand, an he's going to send it flying at the damn thing the second it's distracted enough.]

[otherness]

[Roxas has recovered enough that he can take on this fake Riku, at least for a little while. He sees that swing coming from a mile away and dodges perfectly, just in time for the real Riku to send that ball of darkness flying at his twin.]

If you want to kill him, you'll have to go through me! [He follows the spell's wake, diving into a heavy combo of slashes and stabs, trying to keep the other Riku from regaining his feet.

Here's the thing-- Roxas has nothing to live for. He has no purpose outside of journeying with Riku and hoping he finds a place. He's not necessary. But Riku has never told him that. Riku has always tried to guide him, even if it wasn't in the most painless way. Whatever, Roxas has forgiven him.

He'll get to Sora, he'll get both of them to Sora. Alive.]

[darkercalling]

[There's no way Riku could take this thing alone. It moves like him, thinks like him, behaves like him... Anything he's tried up until now has been absolutely useless. But with Roxas here, he finally stands a chance. Two heads really are better than one...

He follows up his own blast, pairing his strikes with Roxas's onslaught to drive the angel back even harder, and it's helping - so far. It can barely keep up. It leaps back, puts distance between them and readies itself again.]

Fine with me.

[But before it can even charge, Riku's one step ahead, using its focus on Roxas to his own advantage and closing the distance with another quick set of blows.]

Not with me!

[He refuses to lose. Refuses to let it hurt Roxas. And most of all, he refuses to let anything stand in their way anymore.]

[otherness]

[Looks like they're making a pretty good team. While Riku is in close and hogging the angel's focus, Roxas has time to cast-- so he does. He summons a field of ice around the angel's feet, then closes his fist. The mine detonates, sending jagged spines of ice upward... and hopefully through the angel. Curiously, none of these icicles are turned toward Riku himself.

There's no friendly fire in Roxas' spellbook.]

Freeze!

[... Okay so maybe he and Sora have more in common than he'd like to admit.]

[darkercalling]

[... You really do have a lot in common, don't you?

The ice does trap the angel, and those spikes lock him in place long enough that Riku can get another good swing in. The ice shatters under the force, and the angel is sent toppling to the floor in a heap. But it doesn't stay down. In one fluid motion, it rolls over, kicks off of the ground and charges, using its raggedy wings to boost its speed.

It darts right past Riku. Right now, it wants Roxas. And its blade is coming at the blond, angled to pierce through him, crackling with bolts of dark energy all the while.]

[otherness]

[Looks like he's caught the guy's attention. He's not expecting the sudden burst of speed, however. It's all he can do to raise his keyblade and parry. For a second it looks like he might be okay, but then his back foot gives and he's sent flying, his guard shattered.

He lands on his back, keyblade clanging far away from him. He'll get it in a moment, once he figures out which end is up.

Might be too long, though.]

Scenario 2

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies spots Riku from a distance and makes for him, glad for the presence of a friend. but it's only when she gets closer that she sees what he's already up against] Damnit...

[she stops where she is for a moment, close but not too close, listening to the exchange between them. but when she sees Riku preparing for a fight, she immediately hurries forward, the pistol she borrowed from North now in her hand] Riku! Be careful.

[darkercalling]

[He hears Menzies approach, nods when she calls out to him, but he refuses to take his eyes off of his shadow. Even as he speaks to her, he won't look away.]

Yeah. I know. Just stay back.

[And apparently, that's enough to set his shadow sneering - smirking, almost mockingly.]

That's right. Don't let the detective interfere. The more she finds out about you, the nosier she'll get and the more she'll keep treating you like just another little kid.

[Riku's eyes narrow, but he refuses to flinch.]

What good is a gun, anyway? I'm better than her. She has no idea what I can do.

For someone trying to be me, you talk too much.

[That shadow's glare hardens. Keep denying, Riku. It's just gonna get worse.]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies can't say she's terribly fond of the shadow's declarations either, but she keeps her distance as Riku instructs and holds her own emotions in check. after all, she knows there's no point in her starting an argument about her opinion of Riku. but if it starts to say more about him, well, she's there at the ready like others were for her]

[the shadow's fighting taunts catch her attention, though--and she doesn't like the sound of them one bit. she keeps the gun at the ready, watching the shadow carefully, and says simply:] Riku, tell me what I need to know.

[darkercalling]

[He shakes his head.]

You know everything you need to know. Just stay back.

You're not even sure you can protect her. After all, history shows--

When I said that you talk too much, I meant "shut up."

[The shadow isn't backing down. Isn't shutting up. In fact, it takes a few steps closer.]

You only tell her about things that go in your favor so she won't worry about you. So she won't think less of you. But it's not just her - it's everyone. Everyone has to think you're on top. That you have it all under control. Otherwise, how is anyone supposed to trust you?

[That hits even harder.] Tch...!

And you know all about being untrustworthy, don't you?

I said shut up.

[And Riku's already rushing to take a swing at his shadow, who isn't even making any move to dodge.]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is starting to worry that she really might not be able to contribute much to the physical fight besides a second target. because the shadow is right--she knows almost nothing about Riku's actual powers. she's seen his weapon, sure, and she's seen him use darkness to block bullets (hence the jab against the gun, she imagines), but she doesn't know any details, and Riku brushing her off doesn't help. still, she understands that his attention is very much somewhere else at the moment, so she doesn't press. she just hopes that she can at least attack to distract the double, if not to actually wound it]

[and that's not the only reason she's here, after all. because although she knows it didn't work for Sam, she does know what stopped her own double, and if she can help Riku face it with words rather than physical force, then that's exactly what she means to do. she just wishes she were better at encouragement. still, failing any better ideas, she decides to break in with honesty at least]

Yeah, well, he's not the only one 'ere who craves control 'round 'ere. And considering he's saved my life three times already, I think you're accusing 'im of being untrustworthy to the wrong person. He might feel that way, but it doesn't make it--

[but at that point, Riku lunges at the shadow, and Menzies tenses, sidestepping to try to keep a view of the double that doesn't place Riku directly between them. it seems the fight has begun, and she means to be as ready to help as she can be]

[darkercalling]

[The fight... would begin, sure, if the shadow wasn't capable of perfectly parrying the blow at the last possible second, and with an infuriating little smirk to top it all off. They're face to face now, swords locked, and those yellow eyes hold no humanity.]

You know, if you don't slow down, you'll end up messing up again.

Nobody asked you.

[He breaks the hold, swings again - and is just as frustrated when the shadow blocks that one, too. He glares as it laughs in his face.]

You can't win like this. I am you - I know everything you're going to try!

No!

[He strikes again - just as futile. No, Menzies, he isn't listening.]

you called for a seeing-eye soldier, he is here.

[classed]

( he's already dealt with the other … him. if by 'dealt with' we mean 'nearly been bested by' – because when jacqli had found him, just as he'd accepted the shadow as being the parts of himself, bits and pieces that come together to make a whole other whole that he's been trying to ignore for way too long, he'd been on the cusp of losing consciousness.

and if he had, who knows what would have happened? ( passing out in a puddle of your own blood isn't exactly what we would call heroic, and that just wouldn't do. so, he'd been more than grateful for her appearance, her help, and once he finds her again, he intends to thank her properly. even if he hasn't gone so far as to figure that bit out just yet. )

he hasn't seen any other duplicates, but when he happens across riku, it's his shadow that he gets a glimpse of first. the absence of the blindfold is a tell-tale enough sign, and once he sees the real riku reaching for his blade, he's quick to move in and try to keep him from it, calling out to him in a bit of a frenzy – ) Riku, wait –!

( gaia please pay attention!

he gets in a bit closer, closing a hand on the other's shoulder, panicked and wide-eyed but still somehow managing to keep it ( mostly ) together. ) You can't fight him. It's not gonna do any good.

dfsjakl honestly he prob needs a second pair of eyes rn sob

[darkercalling]

[He does hear Zack calling out to him, but pretends he doesn't. In his mind, he has just another double to deal with right now - as if that creepy... whatever hadn't been enough, now he has this? tch - and he's not about to let himself be distracted before he beats this thing into the ground.

Except that comes to his shoulder, and he stops, glances back at Zack with a baffled frown.]

What...?

[For a moment, he looks back to his shadow... Then returns his attention to Zack, his expression settling back into one of determination.]

What do you mean, I can't fight him? Isn't that what he's here for?

hey these are soldier eyes, they're top-notch, he's in luck!

[classed]

( well, get out of your mind! this is a lot more serious than you're giving consideration to, so listen to the guy that has already had to deal with his own doppelganger!

… who would have thought that zack fair would be the one to tell someone else that they can't just beat something into the ground and be done with it? talk about character development.

but at least riku is paying attention to him when he gets close enough, finally turning his gaze on him, and zack breathes a tiny sigh of relief. well. that was half the battle, wasn't it?

he shakes his head. ) It's not … it's not that easy. ( ohhh boy. how … um. okay how can he go about this delicately? ) He's … uh. ( damn it. )

He's you. Or rather … ( asdlkhgsd ) All the stuff you've got in you that you don't want anyone else to know about. That make any sense? ( please say it makes sense because it's totally true and he doesn't know how else to say it. )

soldier eyes... sounds like a 3 doors down cover band /shot

[darkercalling]

[It'd be easy to tell Riku not to fight the thing. The problem - the really hard part - is getting the message to stick.

Case in point, Riku is not at all convinced that beating this thing down isn't going to solve all of his problems, so he's not lowering his blade. Not even a little bit. And it honestly looks like if Zack's hand weren't resting on his shoulder, he would have already charged by now.]

So what, that thing is my subconscious? [He scowls at it.] Sure. But I'm not hiding anything.

[And his shadow is so amused by that, he laughs - full and cruel.] Who do you think you're kidding? You're hiding more than anyone you know.

lmfao oh my god get out.

[classed]

( well, good thing he's pretty persistent, right? he'll make sure the point gets across, and sticks like a strand of wet spaghetti when thrown against the wall.

zack gives the shadow a disdainful sort of glare, eyes narrowing, because it is not helping – which is entirely the point, we know – and sighs a little. ) It's kinda like that, yeah … if there's anything you never wanted anybody else to know, he's gonna be it.

( his hand stays on riku's shoulder, and if anything it tightens a bit, just because he sees how that blade isn't lowering. he doesn't want this to get as bad as it had with his own … encounter would be a good word for it, he supposes. but he's never liked pushing things on people, because that isn't how you learn things.

… thinks the one that tends to learn his life lessons the hardest way possible. )

Everybody's got stuff they wanna hide, Riku. There's no shame in it. You're human, right? It's kinda what we do.

dohoho.

[darkercalling]

[Wet spaghetti, huh...

You're damn right, Riku isn't lowering his blade. But at the same time, at least he's not rushing in, which is a step in the right direction, at least. He is listening, by some miracle, and he even narrows his gaze at the shadow - honestly considers it for the first time.]

... Yeah, maybe everyone does have something they want to hide. So, go on. If you're me, what am I hiding?

[The shadow shakes his head, clicks his tongue, condescending.] You actually think you're being brave right now. Don't bother. I know the truth. I know you, after all. I know myself. And I'm nothing but talk.

Yeah right. If I were nothing but talk, I wouldn't be where I am right now.

No. If I were stronger, if I could back up all of my bragging and showing off, the mist would never have taken the islands.

[Zack will probably feel Riku tense up at that admission, but otherwise, Riku doesn't make any other move.]

[vengefulagent]

[Wash notices the two on his way over to Eithan's house to check that nothing has happened to their supply. The one at the mansion is fine, but when the stars go out even for a short amount of time, it doesn't exactly leave him with happy feelings that everything's gonna be okay. It's been a while since he's seen Riku, and vaguely wonders what the chances are that another set of twins is on the Plane when he finally realizes one of them has yellow eyes--and the other seems none too happy about what's being said.]

That...doesn't look good. [He mumbles under his breath. His hands tighten slightly on his rifle as he jogs over and listens to what's being said. That one with yellow eyes is him?! How the hell is that even possible? Granted, it makes figuring out who the real one is a little easier but the double seems so convinced...]

Wait! [He puts away his rifle on his back as he jogs over and comes to a halt a good amount away from them.] Riku, just stop and think before you start fighting. Don't do anything you'll regret.

[If that one with the yellow eyes is Riku, then who's to say wounding one won't simultaneously wound the other?]

[darkercalling]

[Riku hears Wash, but doesn't turn his way. He's got his eyes on his shadow, and he refuses to let it so much as blink without him seeing it do so. That sword of his stays raised, his stance remains in the offensive and ready. He's sure as hell not about to stop, not by a long shot.]

I doubt I'd ever regret tearing apart a fake me before it can kill me first.

Or maybe you should listen to him. Oh, but we don't listen to what anyone else says, do we? Because they just don't understand, right?

You can't be me. I'm not this annoying.

[vengefulagent]

How can you be sure a fake you even wants to kill you? [He looks between Riku and the other Riku.] Or if hurting it won't hurt you too? [And then back. He's fighting against the urge to lecture--but there really isn't too much to lecture about. He doesn't know any more about the doubles than Riku. But still, he blurts out what first comes to mind.] You need to think about these things first! We don't know what kind of rules these things are operating with!

[And since they're on the Plane, the rules really can be anything...]

[darkercalling]

The last fake me here wanted to kill me and take my place. And since Roxas and I just finished dealing with it, and I'm still standing, then putting a stop to this one shouldn't affect me, either.

[But the shadow laughs - a mocking, condescending sound as that unsettling smirk grows even wider.] I already told you that I'm not like that thing, I am you. You shouldn't think so black and white. That's what you tell everyone else, but how well do you practice what you preach?

[Riku's silent for that one... even though a tiny spiral of darkness is beginning to form in his free hand.]

[vengefulagent]

[Okay, that's some logic that he can't quite argue with. Where he in the same position, he'd have a hard time trying not to do the same thing. He's not an idiot when it comes to self-defense.] Okay, fine, say that he does want to kill you. Wouldn't he already be attacking by now instead of standing there mocking you?

[To the double.] What do you even want?

[darkercalling]

I just want him to face the truth. [Its expression turns mocking again as it crosses its arms.]He's so guilty, everything is his fault. He doesn't deserve any forgiveness for all of his debts and sins because he brought them on himself. But that's not all... the point is? He likes it that way. Because wallowing in misery and shoving people away means he can feel like he's doing something for the greater good after all.

[Riku just... stares. His eyes narrow, and he hisses through gritted teeth.] I don't know what the hell you're talking about.