Riku Replica

The Riku Replica is a replica of Riku created from the data Vexen had gathered. He appeared in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories and acts as one of the main antagonists of the game. Though he almost always appears in Dark Mode, the only time when he did not have this suit on is his debut in either storyline. Originally a subject to test the real Riku, the Replica was later exploited to become a puppet of Marluxia who attempted to use him to manipulate Sora and overthrow the Organization.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
The Riku Replica was created by Vexen in order to test Riku's strength, and hopefully cause Riku's heart to return to the Darkness. At first, Riku was shocked to see his counterpart; however, after the original heard the Riku Replica's taunts, a battle began. Due to the short time of Riku Replica's existence, he lacked experience and was quickly defeated by the original. Riku then attempted to destroy the replica, but failed when the Riku Replica utilized the power of darkness.

Riku Replica escapes, and eventually ends up in the Organization's chambers, where Larxene taunted Riku Replica over his loss. However, the replica denied any fault of this, saying that his powers had not grown enough, which resulted in her bashing him into the wall calling him "nothing but a mere toy". The Organization members later change their plans, hoping to turn Sora into their puppet and overthrow the Organization. Larxene suggested that Riku Replica's memories should be rewritten to be the same as the original's so he would become a much stronger and more useful tool. Riku Replica, upon hearing Larxene's idea, rejected it, saying that he did not need his original's pitiful memories, but all the members began to agree upon Larxene's plan. Fearing that he would lose his memory, Riku Replica assaulted Larxene. However, he was quickly knocked out and Naminé was ordered to rewrite the replica's memory.

After having his memory rewritten, Riku Replica swore to protect Naminé, and saw Sora as a threat, feeling already betrayed by him as he thought Sora didn't care for him and cared only for Kairi. Sora's first encounter with the replica confused the Keyblade master, as he believed that the replica was the real Riku. Sora managed to defeat the replica, who then escaped. Riku Replica later encountered Sora in Castle Oblivion's 8th floor, where he urged Sora to leave, as he would protect Naminé. Hoping to regain his friend, Sora offered to jog Riku Replica's memory, but nothing worked, and a fight ensued.

Riku Replica, defeated, felt even more anger when Sora offered his help so they could protect Naminé together. Hearing Sora say "together", Riku Replica is filled with sadness and rage and he screams his true feelings at Sora, telling him that he was always trying to worm his way into his heart and that it never mattered to him how he felt. After that, Riku Replica runs away, leaving Sora behind, confused.

Around this point, Young Xehanort collected the replica's heart to be brought to the future in a new vessel dubbed Dark Riku as part of the Real Organization XIII. His disapperance left even his creator Vexen baffled by why he had suddenly "backed off". However, he later returned, once his purpose in the future had been served..

Riku Replica's third encounter with Sora happens on the 11th floor, after his creator's demise, where he means to force Sora to leave. Sora, who has defeated Vexen, tells his friend that he is free, but the Riku Replica claimed that he was protecting Naminé from him, of his own free will. Riku Replica then tells Sora of the very same promise Sora made to Naminé when they were young. Sora claims that he was the one who made the promise and shows Riku Replica the lucky charm Naminé gave him as proof. In a rage, Riku Replica lashes out at Sora, and tells him that the Keyblade master's lucky charm was a fake, and the lucky charm he holds is the real thing. Sora and the replica fought, but the Riku Replica was once again defeated, and ran away.

Riku Replica's false memories come to an end on the 12th floor of Castle Oblivion. Meeting again with Sora, he insisted that he was the one destined to protect Naminé, but Sora's wrecked memories kept interfering. Sora defeated the replica again, however, and when Sora went to help him, the Replica retaliated, knocking Sora back.

Just as Riku Replica was about to deliver the coup de grâce, a desperate Naminé shatters Riku Replica's false memories and his heart with them. Larxene later interferes, and explains Riku Replica's nature and creation. An angered Sora fought with the Organization member, successfully defeating her. Riku Replica was last seen in the top floor of Castle Oblivion, where he saved Naminé from Marluxia. Despite losing his memory, he remembered his oath to protect Naminé. He protected her throughout the battle between Sora and Marluxia. In the end, he leaves Sora and Naminé, saying a fake like him does not deserve to be together with them; Sora, however, comforts the replica. Feeling Sora's warm kindness, the replica smiles and leaves. He still has one more thing to do: defeat the real Riku.

After leaving Sora, Riku Replica joined Axel, who would use him for enacting his (and Saïx's) own plans. They seek out the wounded Zexion, who is initially shocked to see them, believing Axel to be accompanied by "the real Riku". His relief does not last long, however, after Axel presents the replica with an idea, telling that if he gains power that the real Riku doesn't have, he could be something real, not someone's counterpart. Agreeing, Riku Replica approaches Zexion, and drains the life force out of him (initially giving him Zexion's powers). Riku Replica was later seen in a memory version of Twilight Town, where he meets Riku in front of the Old Mansion. The replica remarks that Riku no longer feared the darkness, in which he earns the original's confusion in return. Riku Replica replies that he is Riku, and thus he would know everything about his counterpart. Feeling annoyed, Riku remarks that he is himself, and no one could possibly be him. Angered because of the fact that he is "a fake", the Riku Replica taps his dark powers, and states that in the end, he was still nothing but a replica, even after gaining new power.

Blinded by jealousy and rage, Riku Replica engaged the original, and the two had a fierce battle. In the end, despite Riku Replica's new found powers, he was defeated, and slowly faded back into the Darkness. With his dying breath, he asks Riku where a replica's heart like his would go. Riku comforts the replica, stating that it would go to the same place as his. The replica smiles, and remarks "A faithful replica until the very end. That's... okay," before fading back into the darkness.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Riku Replica is mentioned once when Xion is revealed as a replica and is also mentioned in the Replica Program as "a numberless replica". Axel mentions Riku Replica in his own Secret Reports, stating that he is the only one who understands that Riku Replica gained a sense of self. He also expresses regret at having used the replica as a tool.

Kingdom Hearts II
Naminé illustrated Sora's memories of the Riku Replica in one of her drawings in the White Room.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Upon encountering Dark Riku, Riku mentions the "imitation that was copied" from his darkness.

Kingdom Hearts III
When Riku gets swallowed into the darkness of a Demon Tower, the replica calls out to him, asking if he needs help. Asked for his identity, the replica reveals himself and helps Riku escape from the Heartless after it was weakened by the King. Riku leaves behind his broken Way to the Dawn for the replica, while he heads back to the Mysterious Tower with the King. Later, Riku is confronted by Anti-Aqua; the replica asks Riku if he would like his keyblade back, having restored it while he was gone. However, Riku tells him that he doesn't, having obtained a new one. Insteaed, the replica joins hearts with Riku, giving him a power boost to help him fight off Anti-Aqua until Sora arrives.

After the Seven Guardians of Light are told to rest for the night, Riku talks with the replica at the beach on Destiny Islands. Riku Replica tells his original that after their last fight, his body perished and his mind was taken by the darkness. He was about to just give up and fade until he saw Riku in need of help. With confidence, the replica tells Riku that there is one last thing he needs to do before he can accept fading away.

After the defeat of Dark Riku, it claims to be the real Riku, confusing the original as he thought he was the version of himself for back when Ansem, Seeker of Darkness possessed him. Riku Replica appears in spirit form to Riku, telling him that he did beat Ansem, which is why Riku is there now; however, Dark Riku is the version of himself (Riku Replica) from their past. Plunging his fist into Dark Riku, the replica notes that soon this replica will become an empty vessel. Merging with it, the replica pulls out his past heart. Riku tells him to take the vessel, but the replica declines, telling Riku that someone else needs it more. This reminds Riku of the replica's promise to protect Namine, realizing that he's given up his chance to exist again for her sake. Wishing Riku luck, the replica fades away.

Design
The Riku Replica is physically identical to Riku as he appears in Kingdom Hearts, sporting the same skin tone, bright blue eyes, and shoulder-length silver hair. He initially appears in Riku's standard outfit, but quickly shifts into his Dark Mode form, and remains in the latter outfit for the remainder of his appearance.

Personality
The Replica was more aggressive and protective than Riku, which is exactly what Xehanort's Heartless was looking for. A key difference between the two is that while Riku fears the darkness in his heart, the replica embraces his and wields it effectively. He was also more stubborn, which made him more of an enemy in the game. Another factor is how he searched for his existence nonstop. He seems to (like Sora) get very angry when he's confused, as shown when the Organization members such as Larxene try to trick him. At the end of his life, the replica became much more like the original, becoming sullen and mellow. He often lashed out at anyone who talked back to him, even if they overpowered him. He seemed to be as powerful as Riku was at Hollow Bastion, when Riku was under Ansem's possession.

The replica clearly seemed to possess true emotions, as he seemed to harbor a close friendship or even outright affection for Naminé, though his belief in it was merely part of the illusion Naminé had created by tampering with Sora's memories while at Castle Oblivion.

Fighting style
The Riku Replica fights with the same style as the real Riku, but his sleights take less power than Riku's. For example, Riku can only use Dark Aura with three 9's, a total of 27. However, the replica can use any three cards, granted the right types of cards are used, such as 4, 7, and 8, to perform Dark Aura. He never uses the Dark Break Sleight. Instead he substitutes it for a sleight called Helm Split. He is also more aggressive, which leads to some open moments during his battles.

The Riku Replica primarily wields Soul Eater. In Kingdom Hearts III, after Way to the Dawn is snapped in half Riku leaves it in the realm of darkness and the Riku Replica later obtains it. He wields the repaired Way to the Dawn when appearing beside Riku during Riku's battle with Anti-Aqua.

Notes and references
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