Star stood at the bow of the Black Pearl, her hair flowing gently with the wind like its enormous sails. The wooden deck shone like a mirror, reflecting the slightly cloudy sky above as clearly as if it were polished. Being a pirate ship, obviously, the deck was most certainly not polished, but Star was more interested in the soft, gentle breeze than the deck's quality. The sea was so peaceful. She even thought she'd seen a dolphin jump, but Jack had told her there weren't any dolphins in these waters. Oh, well. At least the sea was calm. The deep blue of the ocean hypnotized her, and she drifted off into a daydream.

When she opened her eyes, she saw only blackness.

To lock the Keyhole, you'll need the proper Key.

Star pulled out the Keyblade, and examined it.

You will need this to continue your journey.

Suddenly, the Keychain of her Keyblade turned a strange color, and the Keyblade itself transformed. It took the shape of an old key, with two projections on it. Each had a small extension on it that made it seem even more like a key…It was pure black, and appeared a relic.

Suddenly, Star snapped back into reality. She held the Keyblade in its new form.

"Well, now. Isn't that interesting?"

Star turned around to see Jack, who had apparently had one too many bottles of rum.

"What is it, Jack?"

"What is it? Why, luv…it's the key to the Dead Man's Chest, is what it is. I thought the wielder of the Keyblade could have figured that out on her own. Perhaps it would be better were the blade in more…capable hands."

Star's eyes narrowed. "And whose hands would THOSE be, Captain Sparrow?"

"No one's in particular, luv. Simply stating an observation."

Star, slightly annoyed, brought the Keyblade a leisurely distance from Jack's throat. "Maybe your observation was flawed."

Jack smirked, and stroked the Keyblade's side with his right index finger. "Perhaps. But I often make correct observations as well, so you never can tell."

Jack, walking away, turned to Gibbs once he was out of hearing range of Star. "Mr. Gibbs. I believe I am still owed one Keyblade. I intend to receive that payment."

"And how do you intend to do that?"

"Leverage, Mr. Gibbs. Once the Heartless are defeated and Davy Jones is sent back to his own locker, our good friend Star will have found herself indebted to us for our help. And then I will have her know what I require to relinquish that debt."

"And if she refuses, Captain?"

"Simple, Mr. Gibbs. She will not."

"How do you know she won't refuse?"

"Because, Mr. Gibbs. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He smiled crookedly.

Star yawned. Why was she tired at noon? She wasn't about to stop listening to her instincts, however. She walked across the shining wooden deck toward the cabin, with elaborate but dark stained glass windows. Given exclusive privileges to the cabin, she walked in, shut and locked the door, plopped down onto the bed, and went to sleep.

Brandon stood in the dark of the forest, pondering. "So, Meta Knight…what you're telling me is that Star has been chosen to wield the most powerful weapon in the world to try to defeat a terrible evil that steals people's hearts?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I see. Where do I come in here then?"

"That, my friend, is entirely up to you. Now is the time of choosing sides. You can side with the Heartless and the Darkness, or you can side with your friend and the light."

"You must be crazy for even THINKING I might side against Star!" Brandon said defensively.

Meta Knight laughed. "Just the response I wanted to hear."

"So what do I do now?"

Meta Knight pulled out a small capsule, about the size of a chicken's egg. "You'll need this. It'll help you to find your friend."

Brandon accepted the capsule, and held it in his hand, eyeing it. "It doesn't look like much….what's it do? How's it work?"

"You simply twist the capsule to the world you want to go to, and tap the little button on the top. It'll transport you to that world. As of yet, it doesn't know all of the worlds in existence, but it is constantly updating itself."

"How does it do that?" asked Brandon, confused.

Meta Knight simply began to walk away. "Keep that sword you have. It is very powerful. More powerful than you know. It will help you in your quest. Now go. Nightmare will be looking for you. It's best you're not here when he comes."

Brandon shrugged, twisted the capsule, and pressed the button. He didn't see the name of the world he chose, but he didn't care. He didn't even know where to start anyway. Suddenly, the capsule shook violently, and the world around him began to fade. The deep blackness of the sky with the twilight of the stars began to blend together into a pure white light, and he was in an empty void.

"Hm…" he said to himself. "This must be the place between worlds."

He didn't have time to say anything else to himself, though, as he was attacked.