(A/N) Epic chapter coming. Brace yourselves.

A tip: do not watch Naruto amvs while attempting to write a Death Note fan fic. If you do, you'll suddenly get Naruto popping out of nowhere going "What sort of genjutsu illusion is this? People with wings, omg!" or something to that effect. Or Gaara, scoffing "Love? You speak as though it were such a simple thing… yet you yourself will soon see that it is the most precious and compelling thing in the world." … Both of these happened while I was writing this chapter.

Thank you to AnimeRANDOMNESS and Blondie for reviewing the last chapter! In answer to your question, Blondie… I've just been putting it in quotes because it's and unsigned review. Why in cake's name I decided to do that in the first place… it made sense in my head. And thank you so much for the compliment!

No, I still don't own Death Note.

My wings beat frantically as I zoomed though the sky. The roar of a motorcycle surrounded me as I went; Mello and Matt were riding the bike, while I carried Near in my arms. We grew closer to To-oh University with every second, fulfilling the cliché of racing against time.

I had gone to the Shinigami realm to locate Lawli, and then returned to follow him with the others. It had only taken about 20 minutes, but that was time I feared we couldn't afford to lose. What if we don't get there in time? That thought spurred me on faster, heart pounding and wings churning the air.

There was one thing, though, that weighed especially heavy on my mind; one thing that I hadn't told the others. And it scared me.

Finally, the crumbling school walls came into view. I banked sharply, making Near squeak, and glided above the motorcycle as we entered the campus. I set near down as Mello and Matt dismounted.

"Tennis courts, I reminded the tersely, then rose again with two quick flaps of my wings. All four of us rushed there, intent on only Lawli. I was the first there, and nearly fell out of the sky in shock and horror.

There were three people there: L, Light, and A. Lawli was on his back in the center of the court, gasping for breath; Light, over him, was pointing a gun with deft precision at his head; A- my best friend and classmate –was clinging to Light's side like a child to their mother. As I entered, he turned a venomous green glare on me, and I flinched.

Light tutted softly. "Looks as though I haven't run out of uses for you yet, Ryuzaki." In a blindingly fast movement, he had L gripped to his chest, the gun barrel pressed to his head. "It's a bit of an illogical position," he mused, "as I'll get splattered with brains when I pull the trigger. Beyond, do you know how to get brains off of clothes?"

"You're sick," I growled, although I must have sounded horribly hypocritical. "This is Shinigami business, Yagami-kun. He has nothing to do with it."

"That clichéd approach?" Light laughed. "Well, I suppose this whole thing is a bit clichéd. But trust me, I won't hesitate to pull the trigger if you make a move."

"And then your hostage will be dead," I shot back.

"But you wouldn't sacrifice L's life," Light said confidently, and then paused, pretending to second-guess himself. "Or would you?" He turned to A. "What do you think?"

"Given Beyond's personality, he would never risk L's life," A said calmly. "This ridiculous bond they share, all the Wammys, the love that is there, will prevent it."

"You talk like you're not one of us!" Mello objected from behind me.

I, however, saw the change in Lawli's expression. His dim eyes brightened, and his gaze drifted down to A. I could practically see the gears in his head turning. Now my job was to buy him time.

I began to pace in a circle, drawing Light's attention with the movement. "What can you be planning?" I asked. "You're cornered."

Light laughed. "It's simple. You are going to take your Note and kill Near, Mello and Matt, or I kill L. It's your choice."

I inferred, from this plan, that Light had no idea how he had become a Shinigami. Still… I would prefer not to kill them… plus, there's no way that Light will let Lawli live, regardless of what I do. My best option was still placing my trust in L and whatever he was cooking up. If he could just get away from Light… then I could strike.

"A clever plan, I must admit." I walked back, passing the others on my path. "Just stay quiet for now," I whispered. "Wait for a signal." I didn't specify whose signal it would be; I had no idea whether the next move would be made by Lawli or me.

"You will gain no time," Light informed me, his neck craning to keep me in sight. The gun shifted slightly, and I saw Lawli lean vaguely toward A.

"But what," I said, louder than strictly necessary, "are you going to do after that?" Lawli was an inch from A, and I saw his mouth open to speak. I've got to keep Light's attention on me, now! I snapped open my wings abruptly. "You haven't thought ahead!" I yelled, arms spread wide. "You have no clue what you're in for!" Lawli's lips trembled with hurried whispers, and I saw A stiffen, his emerald eyes widening. I flapped my wings for the sake of drama. "You underestimate us, and that will lead directly to your death!"

Lawli met my gaze, then, and blinked once, slowly. There was gratitude in the gesture; his gaze was distinctly determined and warm, but strangely sad. Then, he smiled, a small, heartrending curve of his lips.

A suddenly let out a little squeak and grabbed at Light's wing, looking utterly alarmed. The Shinigami was dragged off balance, and Lawli twisted away like a cat, landing one killer kick to Light's jaw that may or may not have broken a normal person's neck. Light staggered backwards, A still clinging stubbornly to him.

But Lawli didn't come over to me, nor did he go to stand with Near, Mello and Matt.

Instead, he pulled something out of his pocket.

A pen…

And the small, 1' by 1' scrap of paper missing from the corner of my Note.

"One name, Beyond?" he asked, his voice oddly peaceful. "One name, any name, and that's it?"

My throat was closed with emotion; I knew, in that moment, exactly what he planned to do, and perhaps had planned from the very beginning.

A quick scribble; a sad smile.

And he showed us what he had written:

L Lawliet

(A/N) Unexpected? Clichéd? What did you all think? Next chapter coming soon…