Author's Note: Whoo-hoo, random update night! I've done a story about Facilier's origins before, but this is a different take on it.

Song: Poor Unfortunate Souls

Original Movie: The Little Mermaid

Dr. Facilier, pre movie:

Are you ready?

Facilier bolted up in bed. He didn't know where the voice had come from. The red brick dust laid around his bed to prevent intruders that meant him harm had been disturbed – a few inches of it were missing, effectively breaking the circle and thus his protection.

Are you reeaaaady?

"Who's there?" he grabbed his cane from beside the bed, brandishing it like a bat.

Just some friends.

The voices he had heard before answered. He could not make out any form in the darkness. "Friends of whose? Y'all ain't no friends of mine."

Not yet.

"Where are you?"

Everywhere. Nowhere. In the shadows. In the darkness. Sometimes even in the light. Always in the hearts of man – men like you.

"What do you mean, men like me? What do you want?"

To make a deal. We deal in trades, just like you. But we're more upfront – we don't pick your pocket under the table while reading your tarot cards for you.

"And just what is it y'all are wanting to trade?"

Your soul. Your soul for our friendship.

"So let me get this straight…y'all are wanting me to burn for eternity after death just so's I can have a friend? Friends aren't worth nearly that much, if anything."

Our friendship means friends in high – or low, depending on how you look at it – places. Watch.

The lamp flickered on. Facilier watched in wonder as his shadow seemed to take on a life of its own. It picked up the lamp and handed it to him. Facilier accepted the lamp, but kept looking around. The 'friends' were still not visible, even in the light. "So you can do a few fancy tricks. What use is that to me?"

We'll send opportunities your way. It will be up to you to figure out how to get what you want. But we will supply the tools. Besides, it's not a full on trade. It's more like an investment. You give us your soul, and it will be returned to you once your debt is settled.

"And just how do I settle my debt?"

By giving us more. Trading others to us in your name. Make this deal with us and in one year's time, you will have the opportunity, the means for a life time of riches as well as the souls to pay your debts.

Facilier was too distracted by the idea of profit to notice that the word 'debt' had suddenly become its plural form. "I fulfill this contract and y'all leave my soul alone? I just trade it to you for a while and then I get it back?"

Provided you deliver. Yes. That's all it takes. We can give you so much, Facilier's shadow put an arm around his shoulder. Facilier shivered. The shadow felt cold. We can also take what little you have away if you decide not to side with us. Are you ready?

Facilier nodded. "Yes. I'm ready. Give me my power."

Very well. A purple smoke began to fill the room. This won't hurt…much.

Author's Note: I know it's short, but I think I ends nice and creepily this way.