Jackie Estacado from 'the darkness' is an obvious choice. His connection to the Darkness power makes him a central figure and his skills and personality can drive the story forward in a crossover.
If it's a crossover with a superhero universe, a character like Batman could be a main character. His detective skills and moral code would contrast well with the chaotic nature of the Darkness, leading to some great storylines.
Well, Ben is the central figure. But don't forget about Kevin Levin. His ability to absorb and use different forms of energy could be very relevant in the Warhammer universe filled with all kinds of strange energies. In Warhammer, a Chaos Sorcerer could be a main character. The way his dark magic would interact with Ben's powers and the overall plot would be full of potential. Also, Rook Blonko from Ben 10 could be important. His skills and loyalty could add a different dynamic to the story as they explore the Warhammer universe together with Ben.
A young, inexperienced mage could be a main character. They might be just starting to learn about their powers when the rise of darkness begins. Their naivete could be both a strength and a weakness as they navigate this new, dangerous world. Another could be an old, grizzled warrior who has seen many battles but is now facing an enemy like never before in the form of the rising darkness.
Most likely Naruto would be one of the main characters. Depending on the crossover, it could also include characters from the other franchise involved in the crossover.
Well, if we consider other shonen - style series, someone like Naruto from 'Naruto' could be a potential crossover character. His ninja skills and strong will could create some interesting dynamics with the 'world trigger' characters.
A young and brave adventurer could be a main character. They are eager to explore the unknown and end up in the middle of the darkness. Their courage and determination to find a way out would drive the story. Another could be a wise old wizard who has some knowledge about the darkness but needs the help of others to fully escape it.
It's difficult to say without reading the 'a taste of darkness fanfic'. However, it's common for fanfics to either focus on the original protagonists and give them new challenges related to the darkness theme, or introduce new characters that are embodiments of the darkness. For instance, if it's a fanfic based on a superhero story, the main characters could be the superhero facing a new, more menacing villain who represents pure darkness, or it could be about the superhero's sidekick who gets lured into the dark side and becomes a central character in this darker narrative.
Often, there is a brave hero or heroine who stands against the darkness. They might be an ordinary person at first but discovers they have some special power or ability.
There might be a character who is an expert in a particular field relevant to survival, like a former military person with combat and survival training. And there could also be a more vulnerable character, perhaps a young person or someone with a disability, who the group has to protect. This would add an extra layer of complexity to the story and the relationships between the characters.
In terms of anime characters, Ichigo Kurosaki from 'Bleach' could be an interesting addition. His ability to see and fight spirits could be related to Kiva's battles with Fangires. They could end up in each other's worlds and have to learn to use their powers together to fight off both Hollows and Fangires.
Another possibility is Kamen Rider Decade. Decade has the ability to transform into different Kamen Riders, and his presence in a crossover with Kickhopper could bring a lot of different elements into the story. He could use his powers to help Kickhopper access new forms or abilities, or they could travel through different Kamen Rider worlds together to stop a multiverse - level threat.