Destinies Intertwined (a Kingdom Hearts Riku X Oc fanfic)

Chapter twenty-five: Taken Away

Riku, and the others went back to the Keyblade Graveyard the next day, and were ambushed by several members of the Organization, and separated.

Riku looked around, and a figure in a black coat stepped forward, pulling down his hood to reveal Ansem.

"Why do you continue to defy the darkness inside you? It is the only way you can defeat me."

"Maybe you forgot. I beat you in Castle Oblivion. And maybe the darkness I wielded to do that was yours then... but it's mine now. I walk the road to dawn!"

And the two fought once more.

Mickey whirled around, watching as a young man with white hair approached.

"Terra!" Mickey exclaimed. He heard footsteps from behind, and turned to look.

"That's not Terra." Aqua said. She kept her expression of heartache and grief hidden behind one of determination, for Aqua deeply missed Terra's company.

"When did you get here?" The king asked her.

"I sensed danger," she responded, "and came as fast as I could. Ven came, too. He's helping Lea."

"What about--"

"Don't worry about Rachel and Riku. You and I both know they'll always find each other." 

She summoned her master's Keyblade, and fought alongside the King, to defeat their imprisoned friend.

Axel took in his surroundings and got them memorized as a figure pulled down their hood. He gasped. "Isa..."

"Lea. Going off and making even more friends? I can't say I'm surprised."

"Isa!" Another voice called. Ventus stepped forward. "Don't you remember, when I met you and Lea in Radiant Garden? Don't you remember how happy we were?"

"That was then." Isa responded flatly, "things have changed."

He wasn't satisfied with this answer, "But--"

"Forget it, Ven!" Axel said. "There's no way you're getting through to him. He's too stubborn!" 

They battled, and Isa leaped back after some time.

"You didn't realize, did you? Mickey has Aqua. You have Ventus on your side. And Ryan has met up with Riku."

Axel raised an eyebrow in confusion, "What are you talking--"

"Oh no!" Ventus cried. "Rachel!"

"Isa, what have you done!?"

He didn't respond, just disappeared.

"This is bad," Ven muttered, "we'd better go warn the others."

Rachel turned as someone in a black coat appeared. "Marluxia."

"Well, well. It seems your friends have abandoned you. Riku and Ryan. Mickey and Aqua. Axel and Ventus."

"No! They didn't abandon me. They would never." 

"Smarter than you look. And strong-willed. Very well, then."

They battled, and Rachel won. "So you still refuse to come with me. I suppose I'll just have to take you by force."

"You think I'm just gonna let you kidnap me?!"

"Oh, I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice, my dear." 

Marluxia waved his hand, and the air he sent flying towards Rachel seemed to have a strange effect on her. Her eyelids were heavy, but she wouldn't let herself pass out yet.

She needed to see Riku.

"Why am I... What did... you..." Then she fell into his arms, still just barely awake but unable to move.

"Is everybody alright?" Riku asked once they'd all met back up. They nodded. "Wait, where are...?"

They turned their attention to one of the higher cliffs, where Ven and Axel were fighting Plant Nobodies.

Eventually, the pair made it back, looking frantic for some reason. Riku whirled around, hearing the sound of a Corridor of Darkness. There stood Marluxia, holding something limp over his shoulder. 

Only it wasn't something. 

It was someone. 

"Rachel!!!" Riku ran towards him, but then everyone was surrounded by vines.

He met Rachel's gaze, and she managed to say something.

"R-Ri...ku..." Then her eyes slid shut.

"Let her go. I'll take her place, I'll let you guys take me again. Take me! Just... let her go. Please, I..."

The vines disappeared, and Marluxia lifted himself high off the ground.

"Stop it!!!" Riku screamed as he ran forward again, ready to slash the giant flower his enemy was standing on.

"Wait!" Aqua caught up and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You know that's what he wants. If you were to attack him..."

His mind flashed to a horrifying image.

"She would--" He hesitated. "She'd fall, and--" Riku's voice hitched. He didn't dare finish the sentence, but his sadness quickly turned to fury. 

To rage.

Now wasn't the time to be sad. 

"Come down here and face me!" He roared. Marluxia disappeared, and Riku screamed in frustration. 

"We'll get her back." Said Axel. "Calm down! It's not the time to freak out."

A moment passed, and the boy sighed. "...You're right. S-sorry."

"It's alright." Aqua assured him. "You're worried about Rachel. We all are. We'll find her. If you just take a deep breath, you'll be able to figure something out."

"...Okay. Thanks."