Dark Mode

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Riku in Dark Mode

Dark Mode is a special ability Riku can transform into Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories. Riku initially receives this ability from Maleficent, and uses it against Sora after Sora reclaims the Keyblade, but loses it after his body is taken by Ansem. Riku Replica can also use this form too.

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. While unconfirmed, it is very likely that when Riku takes the form of Xehanort's Heartless, he is using this form, able to tap into his darkness to the point of turning into Darkness itself.

Appearance

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Riku in Dark Mode shortly after the battle with Zexion

In Chain of Memories, Riku activates this form, a blue aura surrounds him, he jumps into the air and shouts, "Darkness!". A bright blue light shoots out of his chest, and in a flash of light, his clothes transform into the same suit he wore while possessed by Ansem in Kingdom Hearts. This consists of a form-fitting suit that appears to be made of black muscle tissue. The black fades to red around the wrists and comes with purple gloves that are tucked under the suit. The suit has a purple-blue color on the chest and part of the torso with the Heartless emblem on the chest. It has purple feet and shins that fade into black legs. It has a dark purple belt and a cloth around his waist, opening in the front. The cloth is an off-white color that fades into dark purple and is ripped all around at the bottom.

In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (and in flashbacks shown in Kingdom Hearts II), Riku morphs into the form of Xehanort's Heartless during his second fight with Roxas. It is thought to be a stronger version of Dark Mode, being able to use the Darkness of Xehanort's Heartless, but at the cost of his bodily appearance. After the explosion of Ansem the Wise's Kingdom Hearts Encoder completely destroyed the last of Xehanort's Heartless, the Darkness lost its form, freeing Riku from Xehanort's Heartless forever and physically freeing him from the Darkness, as can be seen when he attempts to summon a dark portal but fails.

Abilities

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In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, since Riku is a playable character, he has a specific moveset while in Dark Mode. It should be noted that Dark Mode is only triggered when the player manages to fill up the Dark Points gauge up to 30. Once Riku is in Dark Mode, he can use it for an indefinite period of time, but he loses a certain amount of Dark Points with every broken card. So if Riku takes out a 2 card and the enemy takes out a 9, Riku loses 7 DP. When his Dark Points go back to zero, Riku reverts back to his normal form.

While as Xehanort's Heartless, he presumably has all of his powers.

Attack Sleights

Ability	Description	Requirements
Dark Break	Leap into the air and attack enemies from above. Only available in Dark Mode. In Re:Chain of Memories, press when it flashes on-screen to add an attack. Pressing when it isn't on-screen will cancel the sleight.	+ + (5-15)
Dark Firaga	Expel dark energy in a searing blast. Only available in Dark Mode. This attack is dark-elemental, not fire-elemental.	+ + (16-25)
Dark Aura	Rush enemies repeatedly with blade in hand. Finish off by stabbing Soul Eater into the ground for a column of light that confuses the enemy. Only available in Dark Mode.	+ + (27)

King Mickey helps Riku while he is in Castle Oblivion, allowing him to use these moves:

Friend Sleights

Ability	Description	Requirements
MM Miracle Lv2	The king restores HP, and stuns and deals damage to all enemies, and reloads cards.	+
MM Miracle Lv3	The king restores a lot of HP, and stuns and deals damage to all enemies, and reloads cards.	+ +
Holy Burst	Multiple shots back to back with the king. Use the left analog stick to control the direction of the tornado. (Re:CoM)	+ +
Inverse Burst	Multiple shots with your back against the king's. Enemies become confused when hit. Use the left analog stick to control the direction of the tornado. Only available in Dark Mode. (Re:CoM)	+ +

Duel Sleights

Ability	Description	Requirements
Dark Impulse	Knock foes into the air before a hard slam down to the ground, damaging multiple enemies. Only available in Dark Mode. (Re:CoM)	Win a duel that requires you to break three cards.
Dark Maelstrom	Unleash a powerful spinning attack on the enemy. Damage is concentrated to one enemy. Only available in Dark Mode. (Re:CoM)	Win a duel that requires you to break five cards.
Dark Barrage	Throw multiple Soul Eaters towards the enemy. Damage is concentrated to one enemy. Only available in Dark Mode. (Re:CoM)	Win a duel that requires you to break seven cards.

Trivia

• Many fans see Riku's Dark Mode as an equivalent to Sora's Drive Forms.
• It is unknown if Riku is able to use this form now that Xehanort's Heartless is gone, it is highly unlikely.
• Vanitas wears a suit similar to that of Riku's in his Dark Mode, except that the colors are slightly different - they are mostly hues of black and red.

See Also

• Riku
• Riku Replica
• Drive Form
• Xehanort's Heartless
• Darkness
• Vanitas