Dark Mode: Difference between revisions

After entering [[Castle Oblivion]], Ansem manipulates the darkness in Riku's heart, giving Riku the ability to use Dark Mode freely. In this form, Riku can use his darkness without the worry of being taken over by Xehanort's Heartless. Because Riku is so darkness-oriented, this form gives him a substantial advantage in battle, such as increased speed and feeding the Soul Eater's unique power-up ability with the power of Darkness. It should also be noted that [[Riku Replica]] embraces the darkness willingly and can also use this form.

After coming into the service of Maleficent, Riku's heart began to be weakened by his continual use of the darkness, so the witch granted him power over it, allowing him to control [[Heartless]] and enter Dark Mode. Riku used this power to subdue Sora on [[Captain Hook]]'s ship with his own [[Shadow Sora|shadow]] and fight off the [[Beast]] when he arrived at Hollow Bastion. When challenged later by Sora, Riku mocks Sora, entering Dark Mode for the first time in [[Hollow Bastion]]. However, the strength of Sora's heart soared, and the latter with his friends and weapon returned to him, defeated Riku.

The injured and severely weakened Riku fled through a [[Corridor of Darkness]] back into the heart of the castle, where he reverted to his normal form. There, he met a hooded Ansem, who persuaded Riku to open his heart to darkness. The enigma possessed Riku, and used his body, now permanently in Dark Mode. In this mode, he created and wielded the [[Keyblade of People's Hearts]], which he used to unlock Maleficent's true darkness. He waited and watched as Maleficent fell at Sora's hand, allowing Ansem to claim Kingdom Hearts as his own. All he needed was the heart of the last [[Princesses of Heart|Princess of Heart]], which was [[Kairi]]'s heart that resided within Sora. He attacked the Keyblade Master, but was defeated. Riku used the last of his strength to fend off Ansem as Sora released his own heart to free Kairi's.

Riku's heart and soul were forced into the Realm of Darkness, and Ansem took full control of his body. He entered the Door to Darkness to the End of the World, awaiting the Keyblade Master. There, he did away with the form of Riku's Dark Mode, revealing his true appearance. From this point forward, Dark Mode was lost to Riku.

Soon Ansem wasn't the only one who sought to claim Riku. [[Vexen]], [[Lexaeus]], and [[Zexion]], members of [[Organization XIII|the mysterious Organization]], wished to use the boy and his dark powers to halt the plans of the traitorous [[Marluxia]]. When Vexen challenged Riku, it was his immense power that led to the creation of the [[Riku Replica]], an aggressive and protective replica of Riku created by Vexen from the boy's combat data. Ansem seized the Replica as an opportunity to use it as a model for Riku, urging him not to fear the dark like the fake.  

Eventually Riku came before Lexaeus. A battle ensued between the two, Ansem possessing Riku's body in order to do away with the [[Nobody]]. Riku's sudden recollection of Ansem's control almost allowed the dark man complete control over his body. Were it not for [[King Mickey]], Ansem's plan to get Riku back under his control would have succeeded.

After the failures of both Vexen and Lexaeus, Zexion was forced to take action. He tormented Riku with illusions in the card world of [[Destiny Islands]], taking on the guise of Sora and swallowing Riku in the light. It was here that [[Naminé]] appeared in the form of Kairi, teaching Riku not to fear the darkness and not to run from the light. Riku then regained himself, controlling and transforming into Dark Mode willingly in order to destroy Zexion. Riku no longer feared the darkness from this point forward.

In the card world of [[Twilight Town]], Riku was approached by [[Ansem the Wise|DiZ]], the bandage-faced man telling him to seek out Naminé. He battled his replica a final time, meeting up with the girl at last. She offered to put him to sleep (like with Sora) so she could lock his heart, freeing him from Ansem and the consequences Ansem had on Riku's heart. Riku refused, needing his power to finish Ansem for himself. It was then Riku headed towards his final battle.

*Dark Mode makes a cameo appearance in the opening FMV of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' when Riku was "offering a hand" to Sora while a large wave crashes down, Sora battling Riku in Hollow Bastion, and Riku fighting Ansem while Sora duels Marluxia back-to-back. Dark Mode's last appearance was [[Roxas]]'s dreams in the beginning of the game.

*[[Apprentice Vanitas|Vanitas]] from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' wears a suit similar to that of Riku's Dark Mode, except that the colors are slightly different.