The Deadly Twist

Sherlock walked into the room, the memory stick in his hand. It contained a top secret, very top secret, missile defense plans and he was going to use it to bargain with a killer. Before him was a bright swimming pool, glowing light blue and casting the faintest glow in the room. It flowed back and forth, dancing across the walls with little white lines.

He waved the device in the air, "Brought you a little 'getting to know you' present. Oh, that's what it's all been for isn't it? All your little puzzles, making me dance. All to distract me from this."

"Evening." A hidden voice spoke in the relative darkness, "This is a turn up, isn't it, Sherlock? Bet you never saw this coming."

Sherlock's eyes widened at the man before him, "John? What the hell?"

The other man smiled darkly, "Actually, I prefer it if you referred to me by my real name: Jim Moriarty."

The detective couldn't believe his eyes. He was completely speechless. John Watson was an imposter.

"You look speechless," Moriarty casually observed. "Allow me to introduce you to someone. Sherlock Holmes, this is Dr. John Watson."

Jim motioned for someone to walk out behind a door. It was a man with light blonde hair and a bomb vest strapped to his chest. He looked identical to his imposter. A red laser pointed at his chest, and Sherlock could tell by his eyes that he was blinking a distress signal: S-O-S.

"A nasty trick really," Jim continued, walking toards Sherlock. "Just steal your opponent's friend and replace him with yourself. Oh, and don't forget the big reveal. Bombs and…a British Army Browning L9A1. Am I correct?"

Sherlock produced the said gun from his pocket and pointed it at Moriarty. "When?"

"You haven't figured it out yet?" Moriarty laughed, his voice filling the room with bitter sarcasm, "I'm better than I thought!"

The detective scanned his brain, looking for the vital clue. Where was the change? When?

And then, he knew. Bank. Chinese smuggling ring. Kidnapping. He tightened his grip on the gun; his body was filling with red hot contempt, even though his face showed no sign of it.

Moriarty, however, could see it and smiled, "Oh, you figured it out. Well done, detective. Bravo."

"What do you want?" Sherlock asked between gritted teeth, "the missile plans?" He held out the USB in his opposite hand.

"A present? For me? I'm flattered, really I am," Moriarty took the drive gingerly, flipping it around in his hand as if to examine it. Then he threw it in the pool. "But that's just child's play. I could have gotten them anywhere. You see, this whole exercise is for you to see my capabilities. I can make you dance all around the city and at the same time, steal your friends right underneath your nose. I can burn the heart out of you."

Sherlock smirked, "I have been reliably informed that I don't have one."

"But we both know that's not quite true." Jim was standing right in front of the barrel of the gun, smiling confidently: victorious.

Holmes glanced over at John, who was standing very still. Their eyes connected and lingered for a while as a silent conversation was spoken between them. It was his fault, the detective thought to himself. He had allowed himself to become attached to someone. Dangerously attached.

After a few seconds, John nodded. Sherlock was a bit taken back. John still trusted him to do the right thing: to get them both out of there safely, no matter the cost. He cocked the gun.

Suddenly, a shot rang through the night.

A/N: Hello!

This is my version of an alternate ending to the series finale. It is very short, and I do apologize for that. I planned for something longer, but it didn't quite work out. There might be a second chapter coming up on what happens afterwards, so stayed tuned!

Some of you might notice there were direct quotes from the episode in the beginning and some modified quotes spread around. They aren't mine, as Sherlock itself isn't mine. I thought it would be a nice touch to include them.

Thank you for reading! Please review if you have the time, or just favorite/subscribe. Thanks again and have a wonderful day!

~LG607