Hmmm... 3 reviews... 3 more than I thought I would get... -Nervous laughter-

Nah...I'm kidding...I knew my loyal reviewers, no matter the number would come through for me. Well...at least 3 of you did...

This...erm...bizarre conversation like monologue came to me randonly when I was trying to write something for my role as Ansem on a KH roleplay. And though the RP has been shut down... I refused to throw the story into a pending file. It's not big enough to be a one-shot (one of my one-shots anyway), so I thought I'd post it as one of my fave pieces in this collaboration of stories. Truthfully, I'm very, very happy with the way this piece came out. For a while, I focused on enjoying the humour, but as I read it again, I really feel like I was able to become Ansem... -Shivers- Oh God... That's creepy.

He is indeed debating with himself (cough) Schizo (cough). Anything within -...- is an internal voice and dialogue without is Ansem speaking outloud. I want to hear some thoughts on who (orwhat)exactly you think the other voice is... I know the answer, but I want some opinions...

Dedications: You know...I've been trying to do this for every story I write now, and I try to dedicate certain works accordingly. But this struck me the other day and I started to cry. I can't remember the last time I dedicated something or even thanked a very special reviewer for all the support she's given me. So, I deeply apologise for my damning ignorance and dedicate this piece to Astaldotholwen. Thanks my Riku rival.

Dark Destiny…

…Knowledge is power…

I am a sage; it is my duty…No! My scripted prerogative in life to pursue the vast expanse of knowledge that exists!

-But how can you expect to learn all that there is to know? Nobody can possibly know everything-

Peh! How pessimistic… What kind of pathetic talk is that? It is my life… it is what my very entity exists for…to learn what others cannot, and if pieces are always missing from at least one person, then I can know everything because I'll know what he or she does not!

-Pure ludicrous. You think you can simply absorb the information out of thin air? It's not that easily attained-

Don't be stupid. I don't have a Castle packed with books so that the little dust mites have a cute resting place. Every little detail within this cerebrum is contained in this Bastion!

-Then what's the big ruckus about? You have more bloody information than you know what to do with-

If you don't keep your irritating little mouth shut, I'll know exactly what to do with it…

-Was that a threat?-

Are you always this sharp or am I just having a good day?

-I'm not the one arguing with himself-

Hmm…touché… I'll really miss your satisfying attempt at wit.

-Why must you do this? Isn't the knowledge of this place enough?-

You mean the backwash slit on the proverbial scale of utmost wisdom? Please… Don't insult me with this pathetic excuse for intelligence. A castle and some ignorant tenants… Wow!

-Always a ray of sunshine, aren't you?-

Shut up! You know damn well I can't know everything if one world is left unchecked.

-You're mad! Other now…-

You saw the meteor show burst from that door… You heard the helium-spewing mouse… My knowledge of this place is barely worth spit compared to the information wanting out there for me!

-You're insane!-

Glad to know you think so highly of me. It will make it that much harder on me knowing you actually cared.

-Be serious. Have you not thought of the consequences? You are a sage; you're supposed to consider all sides!-

Hmmm… Accept a perfectly good offer to lead my existence to completion or stay on an utterly mundane world that's only importance is that it contains an old library of books… How will I ever choose?

-Getting senile in your old age? I asked you about the consequences!-

What consequences? I'm bettering myself and my knowledge to serve those who seek my advice. I can't help them without an answer, now can I?

-Just like the Heartless, right? The knowledge of their existence served your people so well…-

A few sacrifices are to be expected if you were to hope to achieve a proficient future…

-Define 'a few'…-

Don't be so negative… With all that I will know, including my research now, millions can be saved.

-How! These creatures are unbeatable!-

I said "can", not will. I can only attain the final answer by accepting this offer.

-You can't prove that!-

You can't disprove it. And you can argue with me until you disappear like you're meant to, but the knowledge will not be obtained if I remain here.

-Have you thought about what will happen to yourself?-

A little hypocritical, aren't you? What happened to the rule of putting others before thyself?

-Don't patronize me. Think! A person has a mind, a body, a heart and a spirit for a reason. I don't think it's in one's best interest to separate them!-

You forget that I'm not "one". I am Ansem, sage of Hollow Bastion who must do what it takes to acquire all knowledge in existence.

-You're not even listening…-

I know it's risky, but I can't help people with my current status. This door is the answer…it will lead me to the 'power' I seek.

-You can't help people if you're dead either! It was the Heartless who located that door. Does that not set off some kind of warning in your obsessed skull?-

If I had discovered that door on my own, the argument wouldn't exist. The worlds are connected now, and I intend to make good use of that since it can't be fixed without answers.

-Have you even considered what will happen if the darkness consumes you! You're casting off any kind of barrier for a ticket to death!-

If that's what it takes…

-You ignorant fool!-

I suppose I am that… But I shall strip away such a burdening title, cast off my weaknesses! My body is inadequate for the path I have chosen, and I will not allow such a pitiful flaw to hold me back from what I am destined to attain—to be!

-And if you die?-

An unfortunate turn of events. But something tells me that's a worry I need not concern myself with.

-Again, does that not imply an irrational decision on your part?-

Some of the greatest discoveries were because of complete randomness and irrationality. Any last comments before I embrace my destiny?

-Ansem, please… You know this is dangerous, foolish and pertains the chilling aura of death and corruption. You've already seen the destructive insanity of the darkness, especially its shadowy spawns of bloodlust. Is any quantity of perhaps useless information honestly worth this chance of eternal Hell?-

In a word, yes. I call it prerogative, but this is something that I must do to complete myself. You'll probably think of me as selfish, ignorant and a typical, stereotypical villain that plagues so many stories, but I want power. I want to have strength beyond no other, and I want everyone, not just in this world, everyone in existence to know of my, dare I claim, god-like strength of mind. I will attain the respect I desire and will be the one to lead this universe into a yearned entity. I will rid myself of my body and go on this journey to perfection. I will learn about the worlds, the inhabitants of such places. I will study the hearts of all creatures, as well as those of the worlds and discover everything about the ones who lack thereof. I will find this "Keyblade" and the seven scripted princesses that will reveal the door to the utmost knowledge. The darkness holds all the answers to those questions; the 'balloon-in-the-wind questions that eat at me like acid. If I must be stained with evil from these shadows, then so be it. I aim to be the best in existence and fate be damned if I let fear deny me that. It holds wisdom untold and I intend to revel in it all…

…For knowledge is power…

…And I will be the most powerful of them all…