No. The world already has you. There's someone else who needs the replica more. You know who I mean.
„
~ Riku Replica sacrificing himself and leaving the empty vessel to Namine to use
“
No, you beat Ansem and you're still here. This guy...is me!
„
~ Riku Replica explaining to Riku that Dark Riku was his past self.
Riku Replica, also referred to as Repliku, is a major character in the Kingdom Hearts franchise.
He is a Replica of Riku created from the data Vexen had gathered. He appeared in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories and eventually becomes a redeemed villain 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.
The Riku Replica was created by Vexen after the scientist takes interest in the real Riku, using Naminé who has the ability to manipulate memories of him in order to help him and was tasked of defeating Sora
After leaving Sora, he would encounter Axel who uses him for his and Saïx's own plans by inciting him to kill Zexion whom was seriously wounded after losing his battle with the real Riku, Zexion thinks the replica was the real Riku but was relived when it was the replica, Zexion plans to use him in order to defeat the real Riku, but Axel manipulates the Replica into kill Zexion by telling him in order to become a unique person, he must acquire power that the real Riku does not have, by doing so he kills Zexion by choking him and absorbing his power.
He Later confronts the real Riku in Twilight Town 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. blinded by jealousy and rage he remarks nothing changes and that he feels empty inside as a result he engages his counterpart into a battle where Riku comes out as the victor. Slowly fading into darkness, he asks Riku where a replica heart like him would end up to which Riku responds possibly "to the same place as his" this causes the replica to smile and remark "A faithful replica until the very end. That's... okay" before fading into darkness.
Despite being defeated his heart was collected by Young Xehanort prior to his memory being wiped by Namine and brought to the future in a replica body to join the "Real Organization XIII" as one of the twelve vessels for Master Xehanort's heart and is called "Dark Riku". When Riku was traveling to the sleeping world of Prankster Paradise during his Mark of Mastery exam, Riku encounters Dark Riku who antagonizes the former of his past of when he gave in darkness by recreating his kidnapping of Pinocchio, Riku manages to catch him and demands him to release Pinocchio, silently complying he lets him go and glances at Riku before disappearing, this encounter causes Riku to recall his replica.
Dark Riku later appears with the other members of Real Organization XIII to witness Master Xehanort's return and his attempt to turn Sora into the thirteen vessel for his heart however he fails due to the interference of Riku, Mickey, Donald Duck, Goofy and Lea forcing the members to withdraw. Dark Riku along the other time traveling member would later be brought back to the present when Vexen is able to refine the replicas.
Dark Riku visits San Fransokyo to conduct an experiment to recreate a heart from data. He poses as the real Riku's past self when confronting Sora and Big Hero 6 he uses the Darkubes and the original Baymax's combat chip to forge a heart using the despair and terror of the citizens. He baits Hiro Hamada with the chip for Baymax only to steal it from him and later retrieves the original Baymax's body from the alternate dimension it was lost in. Dark Riku combines the Darkrubes and the combat thus creating Dark Baymax. Dark Riku calls Dark Baymax a puppet and laughs at Hiro's pleas to release him. Dark Rik tell Sora he is going to complete his experiment by smugly taunting Sora he will destroy him right in front of Hiro before leaving the world.
Later Dark Riku confronts Maleficent and Pete as they were trying to locate for a black box in San Fransokyo, Dark Riku asks Maleficent what she and Pete are doing to which she responds that is non of her concern raising his ire. In response Dark Riku warns her if she oversteps darkness will consumer her again. Maleficent tells him she intends to do whatever she pleases as should he. Dark Riku responds he intends to before departing. Pete asks Maleficent who he was and if he was a friend of her's. Maleficent encountering what she thinks is the real Riku's past self when he was possessed by Ansem, confirms this, although she states that she doesn't know from "when" this Riku is.
Later the real Riku Replica lends his strength to Riku when he fights the corrupted Aqua when she is overcome by darkness, after saving her and returning to the realm of light, Riku and the replica have a talk on the Destiny Islands he explains after his defeat he traversed the realm of Darkness before Riku came to the realm to rescue Aqua he explains he has unfinished business to take care of, Riku persuades to take all the time he needs.
on the day of the final battle at the Keyblade Graveyard, Dark Riku appears to taunt Riku, the Guardians believe that he is the real Riku from the time he was possessed by Ansem. Dark Riku taunts Riku arrogantly declaring that it was their "finest hour" but Riku retorts that is was "hour of weakness" Dark Riku then summons a dark giant shadow replica of Master Xehanort telling him it was a "real test for the Mark of Mastery," enraging Riku. Xigbar also appears taunting the others before telling Dark Riku to take it away which Dark Riku summons a swarm of Nobodies and Heartless for the Guardians of Light to face before disappearing.
Dark Riku later joins Xigbar and in a final clash against Sora and Riku with Ansem watching from afar. When Ansem leaves the fight Riku chases after him but Dark Riku knocks his counterpart to the ground. Dark Riku is ultimately defeated he insists he is the real one much to Riku confusion he asks if he is his past delf from when he was posses by Ansem. The Riku Replica emerges from Riku, identifies Dark Riku as his past self, and expels Dark Riku's heart from the vessel. Despite Riku insisting the replica can take the vessel for himself, the Riku Replica sacrifices himself to send Dark Riku's heart back to the past and leave his vessel for Naminé before fading away, wishing his counterpart good luck.
Trivia[]
Repliku is his name in the German version. Though English fans have adopted the name; since Riku Replica sounds too clinical.