[The very first step forward they take seems to activate something in the white halls around them. Static covers the walls, soon clearing slightly the scene of a laboratory like the walls between pillars were giant TV monitors. A familiar blond elderly member is seen in it, helping a younger member get dressed in a Coat while another watched. Another replica's hand then reaches out to them, only earning a look of disgust from the one that seemed to hold himself differently... but anyone could see the cruelty in those gold eyes...]
Roxas: ... ['That's the same look Xemnas gave me when I first-']
Xion:  I...hardly have any memory of that day... Is that the day I was born?
Sora: *meanwhile, is seriously considering popping the advil anyway* That's...that ice guy...with the shield...Axel, you...
Axel: Toasted him.  ['And I don't regret it even now.']
Riku: Guess that's one more I owe you for. *mutters darkly*
Axel: Well, Sora HAD beaten him black and blue before I finished the job.  I'm sure you now have figured out why he fought you?
Sora:  I did...?  *starts remembering their fight*  I did...
Riku: ... *pats Sora. Had the same headache after he brought Roxas in*
Yu: ...Are you alright?
Sora: Yeah...just...all the memories, man.  Ouch.
Xion: *on the other hand, doesn't answer...she approaches one of the TV screens with her hand outstretched toward her brother's hand in the image...she has a few tears in her eyes*
???: /They despised me since the moment I awoke./
Axel: Nanako...cover your ears for me.
Nanako: ... *does so*
[The scene suddenly changes on the screen starting from the one Xion's hand is touching to the others. It flickers, but soon shows a "beaming" Vexen finishing a young Replica and dressing him much like a father would. It's faint, but they can tell it's mostly Vexen explaining to him what he is and what he had to do.]
???: When they said they had use of me, I was glad. It meant I could leave just like the other one had. That's why I...
Xion: ...Take your filthy hands off of him.  *suddenly looks PISSED*
Riku: ... *pulls a cloth from his pocket, offers it to Nanako* You... aren't going to want to see the next part.
Yosuke: ...C'mon, Xion. We're not gonna be able to help him if we just stay here.
Sora: Yosuke's right, Xion. I know this hurts, but the longer we wait...
Xion: *bites her lip...and pulls her hand away* ...If I had only known...I would have tried to help him...
Roxas: ...Me, too. *places a hand on his best friend's shoulder*
Axel: You can help him now, Xion.
Yu: Axel's right. This could begin his second chance, too.
Xion: ...Let's go. *leads the way*
[As they walk, scenes of the two Rikus talking begin to show clearly on the screen as though they're being projected from them both--their feelings at the time beginning to darken the walls behind the images slightly in a grey tinge. As they reach the second basement level, there seems to be a moment in which the voices unmute-]
M!Riku: /So you're a fake me./
M!Rep: /Not a fake! I don't care if you're real, you're not better!/
M!Rep: /Unlike you I fear noth/- *static*
???: /...Lies. All lies.../
Xion: *winces when Riku calls him a fake. She knows how confused they both must have been upon this first meeting...what games the Organization played...but she's the same as the "fake," and that doesn't stop it from hurting.* ...Of course it was lies. Everyone is afraid of something.
Riku: *...didn't really have another word for it at the time, but he doesn't regret a thing he said at this  meeting. he still wraps an arm around her in apology, though* ...Even I admitted he was right about me, in the end.
Xion: It's okay, Riku...you don't have to say anything. I can't imagine what must have gone through your mind seeing a twin you never had standing in front of you.
Riku: None of it is anything I can say in front of Nanako, especially--
[...the fight between them begins, and it's obvious that if it weren't for Rep practically being a newborn, it would have been a bit more of an even match. Still, it's easy to tell which is which due to which one uses dark mode and which one doesn't, giving Rep the advantage.]
Riku: --during that.
Sora: Let's just keep going, guys. The sooner the better.
Xion: *nods slowly*
[...and suddenly, memory!Riku is on the ground.]
M!Rep: /Ahahaha! It's niiiice, having darkness on my side! *static...more static* See you around, real thing. Hope you don't miss me./
???: /Why... why why why.../
Riku: ...*looks at Axel, has no idea what to expect next*
Axel: .............................Let's go. Now. Nanako, hold your father's hand and don't look or listen.
Xion: *bites her lip and keeps walking, afraid of what's coming next*
[...Before the scene loads, powerful Shadows surround them.]
Naoto: ['Ugh, we don't have the /time/ for this.'] All yours!  *...her Persona casts Mahamaon, most of them all die because of the strange glyphs and sigils that appear over them as paper shoots up around from the intricate patterns and burns them with it.*
[...It's Rep briefly speaking with Vexen, Lexaeus and Zexion.]
M!Vexen: /-would you be interested in meeting another who is considered a hero?/
M!Rep: /You mean Sora?/
Roxas: ... *sudden bad feeling*
Nanako: *unknowingly seconds*
Axel: ...If I had spent just a little more time around Roxas before then... ['I might have been able to realize just how wrong this was.']
Kanji: There's no use just living in the past. All we can do is make the present better. Otherwise we'd just be lyin' to ourselves and lettin' that giant eyeball have his way again.
Axel: I'm aware. But pretending I don't have regrets about the situation would be letting that bastard have his way too. Let's get out of here. *burns the remaining Shadows that Naoto didn't just decimate*
[...They reach the third floor, and now the screens are featuring a certain three members topside.]
Riku: ... *can't look away*
M!Larxene: /Relax, kiddo. I don't think it's going to hurt THAT much.../
M!Rep: /Tch... I'll hurt YOU./
[...There literally are no words said as the screams of pain, anguish and fear and the sadistic laughter fill the halls. Even Yu, the calmest of the bunch, looks like he wants to choke a kitten.]
Adachi: *breaks the silence* ...Geez, and I thought /I/ lost it back there.
Sora: *head...must...not...explode...* ...The electric witch...oh man...I remember her...She was the- *looks to make sure Nana isn't listening* -the bitch that other bitches strive to be.
Xion: *looks like she's about to break into tears for a moment...but then the sadistic laughter fills the hall...and such rage fills her normally calm, innocent eyes...her shadow turns into the shadow of her true form...which mutates into some form they haven't seen yet...and grows longer...and longer...and longer...*
Xion: *her fists are TREMBLING*
Riku: ...Xion. *sees the shadow, sees it but doesn't freak just yet. His eyes grow a little wider but he just tightens his hand over her shoulder* We'll never let it happen again.
Sora: *gulps slightly...* ['Secretly. Scary.']  Xion, calm down...you'll be able to fight and get to him faster with a clearer head.
Axel: *he knew that whatever she turned into it must have been powerful, judging from the state of Twilight Town after Roxas' and Xion's battle...he was the one that reconned it. But that is more than a little unnerving.* Sora's right. Going berserk here won't do any good.
Xion: *....takes a few deep breaths* I'm...not going...berserk. *it takes about ten seconds...but her shadow snaps back suddenly to match her girl form* Let's go.
Yu: *nods, leading the group deeper and keeping an eye on Adachi*
Xion: *Also. Because Adachi, if you screw this mission up, Axel will be the LEAST of your worries.*
Adachi: *...slowly starting to value his not-life more*
Kanji: *good, or he'll be throttling you through the floors to that Shadow and then using you as a shield*
[...The rest of the scenes seem so much clearer. Is that... Sora? And what is Rep going on about with this "Namine"?]
Sora: *Let me say it for you, Roxas: ALL OF THE PAIN* ...I think I'm starting to remember all of it now. Namine...replaced Kairi with herself in my memories...she did the same to your brother...she was forced to. By...Marluxia.
Xion: I don't doubt it.
Riku: ...That explains a lot.
Xion: ...I bet Xemnas told him to do that. To get you to collect hearts for them.
Axel: But that fell through. Marluxia betrayed Xemnas. He wanted you to help him take him down, Sora.
Xion: So when that failed, Xemnas moved on to plan B...he tried to recreate you by having Roxas and me absorb all your memories, then have me defeat Roxas and absorb all of the ones he had.  If I did that...for all intents and purposes, I would have BECOME you.
Sora: ...Team Psycho will never have a better player than him. *pops the Advil at long last*
Adachi: Hear hear. *rolls eyes... he misses his booze, now*
Dojima; *tough shit, suspects don't get to drink*
Axel: *You're a close runner up, though, man.*
Adachi: *He still took my spot*
Xion:  *just...keeps walking*
[...Now the screen's showing him and a certain blond girl talking, but it's soon overcome by static as though someone's attempting to censor it. In red, the word "LIES" appears over it over and over again. It's the only clear thing in the entire scene...]
Xion: *clenches her fist* Rise, are we almost there yet?
Rise: ... I'm going to guess three floors, but... it's getting harder to read when- *pauses* It... it's almost like the farther we go, the more darkness is being spread through the rooms... *shudder*
Riku: ...Welcome to what was inside my heart at the time he was created, Rise.
Sora:  You beat it in the end, Riku.  Let's step up the pace again!
Riku: Yeah, but he didn't. *was that a flicker of worry?* ...Right. Let's go. *and they keep going, more of their interactions playing for everyone to see...*
[...Until Sora confronts Namine and she has to shatter Rep's heart to save him.]
Xion: *a barely stifled cry of horror as Xion claps a hand over her mouth, more tears building*
Axel: *...looks down*
M!Sora: /Riku!/
M!Larxene: /What's this-?/
???: /Why... why can't I move?/
???: /That isn't my name, is it? Why is that idiot- calling.../
Riku: ... *also looks down, fists clenching tight*
Sora: *is mad himself, now that he isn't in as much pain anymore... Xehanort...the cause of this...is alive again? He doesn't have the right to live!* ...I didn't know. At least, not for the next few seconds I didn't.
M!Larxene: /I know it'll kill you to hear this, but I think I can live with that~/
Adachi: *feels himself being lowered on the rungs of "royal ass"*
Sora: Also, I wish she had come back to life with Xehanort. Just so I could stab her again. *GROWLS*
Axel: I'm not used to seeing you so angry, kiddo. ...But I wouldn't mind cutting her a bit myself.
Xion: *looks at Adachi* ...I guess you weren't so bad after all.  *grumbles*
Yosuke: ...Show of hands. Who wouldn't want to cut this broad up?
[...no one raises their hands]
Sora: *actually stretches his hands closer to the floor as he can get them XD*
Adachi: *...seconds Sora's notion* All in favor of goring her with several naginata?
Yu, Chie, Adachi: *RAISE THEIR F*CKIN' HANDS*
Yu: ...What do you know. We agree for once.
Adachi: If only Namatame would have accepted his Persona... then we would have had another. *smirk*
[And if any of them are paying attention... Namine is being pushed aside, now. She's right in Rep's face, and it's obvious to see... the tears running down her face...]
???: /...She's my only friend. Why... why did I make her cry?/
???: /But... isn't that a lie, too?/
???: /What... what IS "truth"? What's "fabrication"? I can't... I don't.../
???: /No, don't- don't you come any closer to him-! I... I need to move...!/
Axel: EYEBALL, THIS DOES NOT COUNT AS WANTING YOU BACK.
Xion:  Wait...what is happening..?
Teddie: These must be his inner thoughts...
Sora: ....I think this was when me and Marluxia had Round One.
Xion: You fought together?
Sora: Yep. *nods* At least for the first fight. Then I told him to protect Namine and went after Marluxia after he put a mirage in his place and fled.
Xion: *...smiles ever so slightly* ...I'm glad he got to fight against the Organization a bit, then...
Riku: ...More than just "fight" if his aura said anything..............
[Sure enough, the scene shows exactly what Sora describes the moment he says it.]
Axel: Yeah...that's why I think I'm the last person he wants to see.  Even after you, Riku. ...I got the kid to do my dirty work for me after you beat the hell out of Zexion. *sighs* ...I couldn't leave any evidence behind. Xemnas would be able to tell if I had been the one to kill him.
Xion: *for the first time, a flicker of anger crosses Xion's face at Axel...but she calms down* ...Would you have done it after your time with me and Roxas?
Axel: *thinks...wanting to give her an honest answer* ...No.
Xion: ...Then that is all I can ask.
Riku: But since you did, you might have just helped him out in the long run... if he comes back from this. *dream? dungeon? doesn't matter when it all means the same*
Axel: Don't make excuses for me, Riku. *there's a cold look in his eyes...he's angry with himself* I used him like a tool. I won't deny it.
Riku: I'm not. Maleficent and Xehanort used me like one too, remember? Yet I still grew stronger because of it and ended up in the best place possible to keep this derp from losing his way. *nods to Sora*
Riku: Point is, maybe he can be like me one more time and learn from it.
Sora: ...By giving us ice cream and a random photo. Great hints, Riku. *chuckles slightly* Next time, just leave a written explanation of what the hell's going on in the box.
Riku: *smirks* Hey, I did the best with what I had. Namine confiscated all the paper.
Axel: We'll see. Doesn't change the fact that I did what I did to help myself, not him. But I do hear you.
Kingdom King 13: Sora: *grins, slightly heartened by this moment of humor*
Riku: *smirks back, but nods to Axel* Then let him punch you in the face for it after this is over. Until then, let's not make the real him wait any longer. <...God, that's still odd to think about.>
Xion: *leads the way, ever more eager* ...When we get down there...I want to talk to him by myself. You guys stay nearby in case he denies his shadow, but...we're both Replicas. I think he might listen to me.
Riku: *nods* ...Good luck.
Investigation Team: *nods*
Dojima: ... Think we can summon duct tape and make sure Adachi doesn't ruin it?
Adachi: *ROLLS EYES*
Axel: I'll keep an eye on him. Like I said...really don't think he's gonna want to see me.
Yosuke: Two minds that think alike... *smirks a bit* Sure we won't be having explosions behind us?
Axel: I'll try to aim them at any Shadows that happen to pass by.  *grins*
Sora: There'd be explosions even without Adachi. It's Axel. *grins*
Axel: *chuckles slightly* Gimme a break, kid~
Riku: It's Sora. Something tells me he won't be any time soon. *smirk*
Xion: *smiles ever so slightly* ...I think once he gets to know the people you all have become, my brother may take a liking to you. I hope...
Roxas: Guess we'll just have to wait and see. *smirks. good luck, Axel*
[and they keep walking... the scenes shift to Rep walking away from the derp brigade, leaving them all behind. "I don't need to be real..."  then to Axel finding him, leading the boy to a severely injured Zexion...]
[The want to be real, the wish to know the truth, but the fear to face reality and the ever-present anxiety of being someone else's shadow and thus being subconsciously held in comparison to not just Riku, but another replication who didn't even recall there being another just like her at one point. All of it is written on his face as he literally breaks down  in the scenes following.]
???: /I... I want to be real... to actually BE someone. Not just a shadow and a failure.../
Teddie: ...Guess I can kinda relate. *looks down, sad*
Yu: *places a hand on his friend's shoulder* We'll help him see it, too.
Xion: *dammit...she's shed more tears in here than even when she was dying...* Brother, you're so much more than what you were to them...and I'm going to help you see it.
Rise: ...Two floors left.
Axel:  Let's go, then.
[-He says this as the final confrontation between the real and the replication is shown on the screens as they watch. Riku doesn't look, knowing the outcome well enough. Rep attacking in a blind mix of dangerous emotions. The walls are growing even darker as they descend, most Shadows being annihilated the moment any of them show any sign of light. It's relatively easy from here, almost as if whatever his Shadow is is letting them see what happened after he faded...]
M!Rep: /So.. it's over. *is silent for a while* Is this really how it's got to be-?/
???: /*a voice rather familiar to three of them speaks up* Is that truly what you so wish?/
M!Rep: /...I want the lies to end./
[the screen is blanketed in fog and static.]
Riku: <... Fake.>
???: /Hmhm... So you too have an ego that can be nurtured. *and suddenly the haze begins to clear slightly, revealing an elderly man with a long nose offering a hand to the replication. ...Rep seems rather hesitant.* Do not be alarmed. You are far away from the grasp of those who would use you for the time being./
Yu: ......................Igor?!
Sora:  You know that guy too?
Yu: *nods* ...He's how I know so much about Persona Fusion.
Riku: ... *that look in his eyes says those two aren't the only ones who recognize him*
M!Igor: /Ah... as skeptic as I believed you would be. *he still seems to smile as usual* You do not have to take my word for it, but may see for yourself what sort of world may await should you choose to accept./
M!Rep: ...Guess it beats staying here.
[It flashes again to Traverse Town's third district.]
M!Rep: *disguised as Xemnas, handing a battered Naoto the Coat* /...Use this to hide yourself from those who would seek to do you harm./
M!Naoto: *...looks really, really skeptical* /Why should I believe you?/
M!Rep: *he turns from her once she does take it* /Not all dreams are pleasant./
[It fades again...only to reveal the activated machine. He's screaming, writhing in agony between both trying to resist it and his life force being sapped by Nothingness. An injured girl seems to be waking up nearby...]
???: /No... not again-!/
Xion: *trembles in sadness and rage as she watches this, both for him and for her*
Riku: ... *silently watches. He doesn't have to tremble to show his rage.*
M!Xemnas: *about to take an ethereal blade to the injured girl--Yukiko*
M!Rep: /No!/ *opens a portal on the other side and shoves her through, taking the blow in the back and crumbling as the portal begins to close--those Fire spells go right over his head and into Xemnas' face*
Yukiko: ...................................... *looks at Sora*
Sora: ...I'm lucky? *BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF, WOMAN*
Naoto: ...I am no longer certain which one has the higher luck. You, or Senpai.