Fabricated Affections {RepliRikuXVanitas/KH FanFiction}

Chapter 14: The Cornerstone

With no one around to stop them, both Vanitas and Riku burst through the exit doors and rushed towards the surface. The Gummi hangar rested itself beneath a garden filled with complicated bush trimmings of different characters, maybe even people. The plants were a luscious green to show off the great care the garden received, with flowers blooming and sun shining its rays onto the earth.

Except now the garden was littered with black as Heartless scattered themselves about the world, ruining its perfect atmosphere. Even Vanitas, King of darkness, found himself frowning at the sight. He came to Disney Castle before just to observe in secret, but his last visit consisted of friendly faces and a bright atmosphere. How did the Heartless enter?

From above Vanitas saw a lower tier Heartless, a Shadow, jump after him. He was able to easily fend it off with one swipe of his Keyblade. He realized several Heartless were dancing on top of the bushes as if taunting them, but that didn't deter Vanitas. He simply stared up at them with an unrevealed smirk on his face. Those weaklings didn't stand a chance.

Vanitas defeated another Heartless and instantly his eyes darted towards Riku to ensure his safety. Exiting the hangar he had his own handful of enemies to defeat but his look was filled with excitement. Vanitas snickered, understanding the excitement was coming from the newly constructed blade. Riku kept staring at it after each kill, a wide grin caressing his face. There was no doubt Riku found some joy in the misfortune of this world.

"I told you to stay back!" The original Riku approached them with a scowl, defeating several Heartless as he arrived.

Vanitas clicked his tongue, that snicker vanishing once the sight of the original arrived. "We don't need to listen to someone like you. Be grateful that we're even helping."

The original let out an exasperated groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. Without even a glance he easily slashed his blade and defeated another Heartless jumping out at him. "You better not have anything to do with this, Vanitas." He warned.

Vanitas theatrically shrugged. "I don't summon Heartless."

The original lifted his gaze, eyes widened with curiosity. Before he could ask what that meant, the replica had jumped between the two as more Heartless began to emerge. He fended off a handful and shot both of the bickering men a glare, looking back and forth at the two of them.

"Now really isn't the time for this." The Replica said.

Vanitas let out his own sigh. Riku just had to get his ship and now they were in this predicament. Vanitas looked down at his hands. He could protect the replica easily if he were to just summon the Unversed, and the two creatures could battle while they sought the source of the invasion. However Vanitas wouldn't function at his best, as each Unversed would be defeated they would return to his body... Vanitas winced at the thought of the amount of pain he would endure each defeat.

A flash of darkness appeared in the corner of Vanitas' eye. He turned in preparation to defend himself but Sora landed just in time to protect Vanitas before the enemy could reach him. Sora landed, straightening his posture after to give Vanitas a victorious thumbs up.

"Hey! So below the castle they have a cornerstone of light. It may be compromised, wanna lend me a hand to check it out Vanitas?"

Vanitas followed Sora's gaze as he drifted his attention towards his friend Riku; a silent conversation. Vanitas assumed he didn't trust himself and the replica to take care of the situation by themselves, so Sora decided to pair off. He didn't want to leave the replica alone with such a hoard, but with the situation he couldn't back out. Riku really wanted that ship, and to grant him that wish Vanitas needed to play nice.