A/N: So I saw that I have 869 views. I'll be honest with you guys, when I got the idea for this story I didn't think I'd be writing it or do it justice. Now look at it, we're only 4 chapters into this brain child and I'm close to 1000 views already, I mean the prologue only got 509 views. I cannot honestly thank you people enough for this really thank you. Also, I have the results from the poll and… let's just say it's going to be complicated due to there being a three way tie for three of the four chosen worlds. I'll explain how I worked it out at the end of this chapter.

Now, this latest chapter will have Echo Creek's local trouble maker meeting a certain seeker of darkness.

"For that instant, it was. However, you can become stronger. You showed no fear in stepping through the door to darkness. It held no terror for you. Plunge deeper into the darkness, and your heart will grow even stronger."

- Ansem talking to Riku

Chapter 5: The trickster's encounter with the seeker

(The world that never was, Memory's Skyscraper)

In the middle of the Dark city in a plaza, stands an imposingly tall building that presides over it. This building is called 'Memory's Skyscraper', which has a plaza staircase that lead to a pair of glass door and on the face is a massive television screen, which can display the memories of anyone that is nearby.

Right now however, a lone figure is waiting near the massive building for someone to come. This person is a dark skinned male with amber-orange eyes and white hair, which spikes up into three spikes on the top and sides on his head. He also wearing the same black hooded coat as Xigbar.

This person is Ansem, Seeker of Darkness as well as Master Xehanort's Heartless. He's currently waiting by Memory Skyscraper because he was told by his original-self that their new ally would meet with him to discuss a plan to obtain what is needed for their goal.

"My apologies for making you wait." Ansem looks to his left to see a dark corridor suddenly appear. Stepping through the dark portal was Toffee in his black suit and red tie. "Hmph, took your time getting here didn't you?" Ansem said a bit annoyed that the septarian was a bit late. "Well unlike the rest of you, I have to be careful when using these dark corridors to get here, not that I dislike your look, but I prefer to keep my eyes the same color they've always been." He says indicating towards Ansem's amber eyes. "Ha, with all the scheming and death you've left in your wake, I doubt you'd lose yourself to the darkness that easily. But if you're that concerned, then take this,"

Ansem then passes Toffee a black hooded coat like the one he has.

"Since you will no doubt be using the dark corridors more often, Xehanort suggested that you be given the coat that we wear. It will keep you safe while travel through the corridors." He says.

Toffee eyes the coat for a second before putting it on. When he finished, he walks up to the glass doors to look himself over in his reflection.

"Hmm…not bad I suppose." He says satisfied with his appearance.

"You seem to take great care of your image." "Not really, I just think if you're going be doing something proficient, you have to look presentable." "I suppose." Ansem says in a calm tone of voice.

After making sure his tie was still strait underneath the coat, Toffee walks back to Ansem so they could proceed with their objective.

"Speaking of proficiency, did you set everything up as per my request?" He asked. "Yes and I must say I am rather impressed with this plan of yours, but wouldn't it have been easier to trick one of the two you mentioned into taking the item I crafted. Most preferably that young boy I saw before I returned, weather he is aware of it or not, that boy carries a shard of darkness within his heart, so why not simply persuade him into taking the item?" Ansem asked believing that it would be a much more advantages in the long run.

Toffee listened to what Ansem had to say, he knew that the Heartless had a point. If he had instructed him to give Marco the item instead of the other person, not only would he be able to spread more heartless on earth, he'd also be able to cause the darkness in Marco to grow stronger, possibly making him a perfect candidate to be Xehanort's thirteenth vessel. While also confirming if Star was one the princesses of heart, however while that would have been the more preferred approach, it wasn't what he was after.

"You make a very valid point." He says walking passed Ansem. "If I had asked you to give the object to either one of them, we could have confirmed that the girl I spoke of is a princess of heart or force the darkness in the heart of the boy you mentioned to grow, making him a vessel for our side. But, I chose not to for a reason, you should be able to know from the faint feeling you said you had when you met the target." Toffee said as he stopped walking and turned to look back at Ansem.

(Flashback: Echo creek Mini-mall, yesterday)

Ansem was standing outside the entrance to the mall, wondering if this was the lizard's idea of a joke.

"Why was I asked to do this? This task seems for fitting for Xigbar to do." He said annoyed at the absurdity of this task. "I suppose I should just hurry and be done with this then." He said pulling his coat's hood up and entering the mall in search of his target.

Once inside, Ansem began looking around for the person Toffee told him about, only he didn't give him much to go on as to what they look like, he only said that this person was connected to the other two individuals he spoke of before and that he would know the person based on the level of darkness he sensed from them.

'If this person is connected in some way to those two, how can they possess any kind of darkness in their heart?' He thought as he continued to search.

As he continued searching, he suddenly felt a faint pull coming from one of the stores. "What is this I'm sensing right now?" he mumbles as tries to pin point where in the mall this pull is coming from. He continued with this until he sensed that whatever was drawing him towards itself was on the floor above him.

Moving passed the crowed of people, Ansem makes his way to the mall's elevator, walks in and presses the button for the next floor.

Once he reaches the floor he pick, he gets off and continues to follow the strange feeling until he stops in front of what appears to be a book store. "Hmm, whatever or whoever is giving off this odd aura must be in there since its strongest here." He mumbles and enters the store.

As he steps in, Ansem notices that the inside of the store looked bigger than the outside made it appear. He also saw that each row of books had a sign over it to tell which category it belonged too.

"Welcome sir to Echo's Book Hall, where we have any book that catches your interest!" The female clerk said in a cheerful tone to him. Ansem just silently looks at her before turning back to the rows of books which upon looking further, can see a couple of other people in them either looking through the books to pass the time or thinking of checking them out to take back home with them.

"Hoho, the mysterious and silent type huh? I think the mystery novel section would be perfect for you." She says pointing him to the book aisle with a sign that says 'Mystery books/novels' above it.

Deciding to start his search there, Ansem silently walks into the mystery section to find whatever is giving off this faint dark feeling. All the while, the store clerk watching as he enters. "Yep, definitely a mysterious book type." She says going back to watching the store front.

Having found nothing in the mystery section, Ansem proceeds to look through the other book categories. 'This faint trace of darkness, it has to be somewhere in this place but- hmm?' suddenly he felt the faint traces of darkness begin to emanate very strongly. "Further down then?" he mumbles as he makes his way pass the other book sections, until he came to the section that had 'Occult/Macabre' on its sign. 'Heh, even in a world nowhere near the realm of darkness, there will ever be those who wish to harness its power.' He thought as enters the section to find the target he's been looking for.

Upon entering the grim looking section, while also keeping an eye out for the person he's searching for, Ansem glances at the some of the supposed dark literature on the shelves.

"How to summon demons, curses for idiots, how to master the dark arts? This seems more like a section for pretenders than actually wielders of darkness." He says disappointed at the pathetic collection of supposed dark books.

"You're telling me, I thought I was going to have some real fun this summer when I found this place but, (sighs) looks like we've both been let down by this place mister black hood." A voice only one bookcase away from Ansem said in equal disappointment.

"Hm?" looking to his left for the owner of the voice, he see a young girl with short dark-blue hair and brown eyes, wearing an olive green shirt, turquoise jacket, yellow skirt, brown boots, and an olive green beanie hat.

That's when Ansem noticed that the faint trace of darkness that he was tracking, was coming from this girl herself.

'To think that a mere girl like this could house such darkness within her. It would seem that this world holds many hidden gems.' Ansem thought, while eyeing the girl from under his hood.

"Yes it would seem so. I must say though, I'm surprised that someone such as yourself would be interested in things revolving around darkness young lady." He says in a courteous tone.

"While that black coat of yours buddy, practically says your waaaaay into it." The girl says with a slight grin on her face.

Ansem could see that this girl was unaware of the darkness in her heart. To see if he could pin point the origin of it, he decided to ask her a few questions to see if this was indeed the person who he was sent to find.

"Forgive me young lady, but could you tell me your name please?" "Huh, why?" "Well I must admit I'm a bit curious, seeing a person as innocent as you par taking in dark magic. If you want know about true darkness, I could tell you if you want to know that is?" Ansem said, waiting for her response, which didn't take too long judging by the look of curiosity in her eyes.

"Okay hold on, what is this info of yours going to cost me hm?" she asked knowing that there's always a catch when it comes to something like this. "You don't have to give me anything in return, think of it as a favor to a fellow seeker of the dark arts." He says, while he silently tells her to follow him to the sitting area of the book store.

Once they were seated, they wasted no time and started talking.

"Alright first off, my names Janna Ordonia, nice to me you umm… what's your name?" "Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ansem, it's nice to meet you Janna." He said. "Likewise, so what can you tell me about dark magic?" she asked eagerly. "Well first before we can begin with that, I need to understand your interest in it first, as well as why you want to learn how to use it." "Well, I guess you could say, I've just found it's really cool and stuff." "I see. So then, what's the reason you want to learn how to use it?" He asked her.

" Oh well, the reason I want to learn is…well," Janna looks away from Ansem while rubbing her arm nervously. "Okay listen, you have to swear not to laugh at what I'm about to tell you alright?" "Hm, very well." he said. "Okay so, I kind of know this person, who can use magic and I mean crazy real magic you wouldn't believe. She's a princess that came here from another dimension called Mewni." "Very interesting to know such a person like that." Ansem says knowing now that this was indeed the person he was searching for.

"I take it she's the reason you want to learn magic, but if that's the case, why not just ask her if she can teach you instead of trying to learn from these…"dark books"." He says not even trying to hide his sarcasm. "Your right, I could ask her since I'm friends with her and all, but she's only part of the reason I want to do this. The reason I want to learn it…is because there's someone I want to notice me for something other than me messing with him all the time." "It seems like you think very highly of this person." Ansem said knowingly.

"Heh yeah well, the person I'm talking about, he's friends with this princess." "Oh, forgive me if I get too nosey but, what would their names be if you're okay with telling me that is." he asked. "Yeah its cool dude, you're offering to tell me about magic, so consider this a kind of repayment." Janna said winking at him. "So, the princess's name is Star Butterfly and the person she's friends with is named Marco Diaz aka 'the safe kid.'" "Hm? The 'safe kid?'" "Well that's what some people called him before Star came here." Janna said scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

"Ha, I see. Okay Janna, now that I know what your reasons are, I'd like to give you something to help you in using dark magic." Ansem said reaching for something in his pocket. "SERIOUSLY!? ALRIGHT! YES!" She yells out excitedly.

"Alright Janna, here take this." He says holding out a necklace with what looks like a red and black key attached to it. The teeth of the key however formed the outline of a heart strangely enough.

"What's this? It's called the 'Key of hearts.' It's an ancient charm said to grant anyone who wears it the ability to wield magic, you simply need to think of your wish and the charm will do the rest." He explains.

Janna just looks at the charm completely awestruck. This charm would allow her to use magic just like Star.

"Whoa cool; but wait, you're just going to let me have this? No strings attached?" she asked suspiciously. "Like I said before, this a favor for someone who's also interested in dark magic." "Hmm, okay then." Janna said taking the necklace from Ansem and placing it on. As soon as she did, she felt a strange aura envelop her.

"You felt something just now right?" Y-yeah, like I was being covered by something." "That was the charm seeing if you have the potential to use and it looks like you passed, well done Janna." "YES, YES, YES!" Janna screams excitedly while Ansem smirks underneath his hood.

After leaving the book store with the charm around her neck, Janna turns to see Ansem walking away. She sprints after him before he can get too far.

"HEY DUDE HOLD UP A SEC, where are you headed?" "Oh, something came up, so I have to leave." He said turning his head to her. "You couldn't waited a minute so I could thank you?" "My apologies, I was in a hurry." He said fully turning around to face her.

"Nah, its cool. Anyways, thanks for this charm." "No thank you is needed, oh I should let you know that the only magic your able to do right now is summoning magic." He said before turning back around to leave. "Oh, well that still sounds cool." "Hmph, then why don't you try in later in the day and see what happens?" Yeah great idea." She said.

"Well Janna, it was good meeting you. I hope we get the chance again soon." "Yeah same here see ya around." She said waving good bye before leaving in the opposite direction, unaware of what she has just become a part of.

(Flashback end)

"You'd think that any friend of theirs would be aware of anything involving dark magic." Toffee said leaning on the wall of building far from Ansem. "When a person has darkness in their heart, their judgment is always clouded by that which they desire. For that girl, it is to be recognized by that boy for something other than her playfulness. Also, I would assume that she harbors a bit of jealous towards this princess." Ansem says looking back at the septarian.

"So taking that into account, we can assume that she'll not only draw forth a massive number of heartless, but her jealous may also summon an extremely powerful one at that." Toffee said going over the possibilities.

"She could but, the true reason you chose to use that girl is because you wish to see if she could possibly be a keyblade wielder for the seven guardians correct?" "Hmm, it would seem like you do understand what I was trying to do." He said smirking at the dark seeker who answered back with a smirk of his own.

"By the way, the item you gave to that girl, how did you come across something like it?" "That charm is a copy of something called the 'Keyblade of heart', It's a keyblade created from the hearts of the seven princesses of heart. However, at the time it was incomplete due to comprising of only six of the princess's hearts. Originally, the Keyblade of heart was to unlock a person's heart, releasing the darkness within. But since it was incomplete, it could only release captured hearts." Ansem explained.

"I see, so this copy you created-"Toffee started. "Yes, it will slowly release the darkness in the girl's heart, which will cause her to summon more heartless to that world." Ansem concluded.

"Perfect. So when can we expect the outbreak to happen?" Toffee asks. "Hmm, I would say around tomorrow evening or sooner if she is given a push in the proper direction that is." Ansem said with a low chuckle.

"I'll leave that part to you. Now then, let's get going shall we?" Toffee said opening a portal to earth to start their dark plan.

"Hmph very well, let's see if this grand plan of yours bears any equally grand result." Ansem said snidely following after the septarian into the dark portal.