Music Meme, Part I
1. Propel - Cirque du Soleil
This place was madness. How could anyone live like this?
The boy wandered through the halls, one hand on the right side wall, listening to the world - the... community, if that's what it could be called, around him.
He couldn't see it, but he could imagine. The winding ways. The figures passing by, clothed in black and shadow. Sometimes he would hear laughing. Sometimes screaming. Whispering, crying... words in the dark.
Why was he here? How would he ever fit in, in this place.
2. Time to Die - Yokko Kanno
You could be so much more.
"Wha--" Riku twisted a bit, blindfold fluttering along his cheek. "Who's there?"
Easy, my child. No need to worry. Not about me, at least.
That was true, at least. This planet seemed rather disingenuous to Their visit. This... new circumstance. Well, that could be dealt with after--
Above you, young one.
Riku jumped and rolled to the side as a large clawed talon swung over his head. The terrible cry that sounded after it gave him an idea on the creature's size. How the hell did it sneak up on him?
And where the hell was his team??
Sometimes, dear one, all you have is yourself...
Keyblade materializing in his hand, the youth's mouth set. If that was all he had... so be it.
3. Never Let Go -Josh Groban
"I never really got to tell you..."
Aquarian eyes smiled into sunset gold ones. "Like you'd admit it to my face."
"I'm going to say it now, aren't I?" the Darkness snorted.
"Yeah," the young man teased, smile in his eyes never fading. "But I'm dead."
"Yeah." Riku looked down. "I suppose that makes me pretty pathetic."
The ghostly image of his counterpart shrugged. "I don't know about that. Besides," He stepped up, nearly chest to chest. He seemed a bit taller. "You're the one who's got to keep going. That makes you the hero."
The Darkness closed his eyes.
5. Passive Aggressive - Placebo
It wasn't like he didn't think things through. It wasn't as though he hadn't thought all of this through. Every decision. Every dropped hint. Every casual smirk. Every choice to quietly betray them. Betray her.
It was only so he could protect them. Even if it was from themselves. Or from him. ...right?
He knew he was a selfish person. That would probably never change. He would never be the one they came running to, arms open, smiles bright and wide. He could never smile like that. Like that stupid, boyish grin his best friend had always given him. Stupid. Infuriating, sometimes, but... always genuine. Always loyal, and true, and--
Riku's smiles were sharper than that. Smarter. But somehow... less. Less true. Less what he wanted, in the end. But. He couldn't change that. He was what he was - what he would always be, and that was that. He had decided, a while ago, after all, that he would be the one. The one the hero could always turn around and see, behind him. As a friend. or a nemesis. Always there... A shadow.
6. Darkness - Peter Gabriel
He watched her, so much grace and beauty, hiding so much savagery. So was the duplicity of the Unknown's nature.
She is a creature to behold.
Breathing in, deeply, he let a smirk curl over his lips.
Do you know why she follows you so willingly? So... dutifully.
"Because," the young man murmured, "She knows you're waiting for her."
The voice chuckled. Well. That may be. But... I think it has become less about me, over the years. As flattering as that sentiment may be. I will always be here, after all.
"So will I." He would be. He could be, now. All he had to do was reach out, to that power he had. Power he had gained. His prize. His... punishment.
"Riku," the shadowy woman turned, and he realized she had been listening to his end of the conversation with himself. Well, with himself and... that little voice that he considered to be his darkness. His conscience. His... guardian angel. Or demon.
"Come. We will be following this group a bit longer." As long as was needed, to find the answers.
"Of course, my lord." her flame colored eyes tracked him as he moved into the shadows, darkness sweeping up and over his form. After he was gone, she bowed her head, murmuring something for only the lingering shadows to hear before she too slipped away within them.
7. Damaged Goods - Glint
He could fix this. He could make this right. He would make this right.
If it hadn't been for him, everything would have been solved so much sooner. Kairi wouldn't have been lost so long. The world's wouldn't have had to suffer. And his best friend...
His best friend and him wouldn't have become mortal enemies.
He let his pride, his selfishness, get in the way. Always in the way...
And here he'd always said that Sora would be the one struggling to keep up.
When they were kids (it really wasn't that long ago, was it...) everything seemed so much easier. Simpler. Black and white. Not all these... shadowy shades of grey. Riku would win the races. Riku would win their sword fights - the heated, impassioned battles, so serious with sticks for swords, wooden avatars of their strength. Justice made of wood and sand. Child's play.
He wished things could have stayed that way forever. All their dreams of leaving. Of exploring distant stars and exciting new worlds... Dreams that were actually nightmares. Things looked much the same. Dreams and nightmares. Love and hate. Friend and foe. Light and dark.
But. He would make it right again.
He would fix it.
8. Twins - Yann Tiersen
"Gods... you look--"
"Just like me?"
The two young men stood face to face in the hallway. The one looked slightly younger - but it was unmistakable... the similarities.
Riku had had dreams where he faced himself - and they never ended well. His hand tightened around the keychain in his palm.
"Well..." the younger started. "I'm Riku."
The Darkness almost took a step back. "Is this a trick?" His eyes narrowed, golden light flaring behind them a bit.
"I... don't think so?" the other one - the other him, smiled a bit. "I think there is simply... two of us. We're... clearly not the same person, though."
"Clearly." This man was weak. Riku could tell from his smile. "So. My name is Riku." He smirked. "You may call me Darkness. Unless that's your title as well."
"Oh... no, no." The young man's smile turned up at the corner, just a touch more. "I'm known as the Enigma."
"The Enigma."
"Yes." Something jingled around the youth's neck as he stepped forward, offer a hand. "Well. I guess... nice to meet you."
The Darkness looked at the other's hand a moment, then met the Aquarian copies of his gaze. "Yes." He lifted his hand to grasp the other's. "...a pleasure."
9. Party All the Time - Black Eyed Peas
"Having fun, my dear?"
The young woman beside him grinned. "Totally. You didn't tell me you threw parties."
"Well. I do." He smirked, "As long as I have a reason to and am assured the pleasure of delightful company."
"Riku... Geeze, tone down the flattery!" But she was still grinning, a hint of a blush on her cheeks.
It was, partially, flattery, of course. He thought her to be quite delightful, but... he wasn't there for the party. Or even for her. Not exactly. He needed something distracting. And an investment for the future. Luckily for him, she provided both of those, packaged quite nicely in the dress he had surprised her with.
A tall, hooded Unknown appeared beside them, making the girl jump slightly. Riku eased her with a small glance, before nodding to the Unknown.
The giant bowed a bit closer, low voice rumbling through the heavy beat of the club. "The target has arrived. Shall we take action?"
The Darkness nodded, then turned to his author. "Well, my dear." He stood, and offered her a hand. "Would you care to dance?"
10. In My Life - The Beetles
"Come on!!!" a voice laughed, the face hazy, but eyes blue and bright like the sky.
"Aren't you going to come?" Another questioned, soft and feminine. "The shore's great today."
The first voice toned in again, "It looks like you can see into forever!!"
The sands stretched out before them, meeting the sea with a warm embrace, waves dancing upon the surface.
"Come on!! Riku!!"
"Riku!"
The Darkness woke in the cool of his room, half reaching towards those quickly disappearing figures, laughter fading away into the shadows around him. He closed his eyes, trying to remember the scent of the ocean and the soft bite of sunlight on his cheeks. He licked his lips and tasted something salty.
They were right. It was beautiful. It had been.
That first day of summer.