Replicas

**Replicas** (レプリカ, *Repurika*) are creatures that appear throughout the many worlds, and beyond. They are artificial copies of another being, special types of Nobody, or distinct, virtual reality projections of existing lifeforms, created by Infinite with the power of the Phantom Ruby. Created by Infinite and Nobodies, replicas have all the strengths and powers that their original counterparts possess, though they have no free will. Each replicate can also be mass-produced. The first Replica seen (though not the first produced) in the series is Riku Replica in *Kingdom Keymasters: Chain of Memories*. Another Replica is later revealed to be Xion, (the fourteenth member of Organization XIII), Experiment No. I in the Organization's Replica Program. In the manga adaptation of *Kingdom Keymasters: Chain of Memories*, Vexen makes 44 Replicas of himself, which survive into *II* and aid the Eggman Empire.

"*Infinite can create virtual reality projections. They have mass and form, but no heart or soul.*"
"*Virtual reality? So all those familiar faces that were a part of Eggman's army...*"
"*Replicas. The problem is, they may not be real, but their powers are as formidable as the originals.*"

—Shadow and Sonic, talking about Replicas.

## Description

### Anatomy and Design

Replicas, as the name implies, are virtual reality projections of existing lifeforms. The replicas take on the form of their original counterparts, with little to no differences between comparing the original to the fake (the replica of Shadow is shown to have different eyes than the original Shadow, namely having slitted, cat-like pupils). It is also worth noting that the replicas will occasionally have red pixels randomly appearing on their body, a likely factor from the Phantom Ruby's abilities.

## Nature

The Replicas (also referred to as "puppets" or "clones" by some other characters) are synthetic copies of other people. While the exact method of creating a Replica is unknown as of yet, they have been shown to be able to be created out of different materials. Riku Replica was created using data collected by Vexen from his fight with the real Riku. He believed he was the real Riku due to Naminé's memory manipulation.

Xion, an imperfect Replica of Sora, was also been made by Vexen and then later on altered by Xemnas. She was created from Sora's memories, but looked so different from Sora because the memories she was made from took the physical appearance of Sora's most important and strongest memory: Kairi. Replicas, like Nobodies, fade into Darkness after they are defeated. Xion, however, was absorbed by Roxas, therefore she continues to live on inside him, and inside Sora.

Most Replicas have a mysterious, stoic nature and very seldom give straight answers. Also, a trait shared by all Replicas shown in any version of the series is that they are very sensitive about the fact that they are copies. Riku Replica, upon learning he was a Replica, constantly referred to himself as "fake" and became obsessed with trying to become a different being than Riku. Xion even refers to herself as a "puppet" after she learns of her existence. In the manga, the Vexen Replicas are very quiet and sad compared to the original Vexen, telling the Riku Replica that "we are all failed replicas.". However, the manga is non-canon.

### Powers and Abilities

Replicas are capable to using any ability that their original counterpart can utilize and seem to have a few unique abilities. The replica of Zavok, for example, is capable of fighting against Sonic in a brawl with both the personality and strength that the original Zavok has.

Replicas appear to be able to fight as soon as they are created, not needing to learn fighting techniques or become stronger. This is most likely a trait passed down from the person they were created from. The most prominent ability Replicas have is the ability to absorb the life-force of other beings, increasing the Replica's overall power and allowing them to use any unique abilities the being absorbed may have had.

In fact, the main reason for Xion's creation was for her to absorb Roxas and become "the new Sora", thus preventing the real Sora from ever awakening from his sleep. Also, Riku Replica absorbed Zexion's energy in *Kingdom Keymasters Re:Chain of Memories*, something that was encouraged by Axel. This indefinitely made Zexion fade as his power seeped out, and in turn, this made Riku Replica obtain more power.

## External links

* Replicas *Wikipedia*
* Replicas *Sonic News Network*