Disclaimer: It's the same as the past 27 chapters. I Don't own Death Note. Got it? Good.

Chapter Twenty-eight Chess Pieces

Now I must've been dreaming. I mean, it was either that or my eyes died. Given my sleeping schedule, or lack thereof, I didn't blame my eyes. I was standing in a realm of blackness, white feathers flying around me, all going to the direction in front of me. Under my feet was an ashen colored stone, this was so surreal. There was no wind, but the feathers kept tumbling further, and further into the darkness. I looked around, nothing.

Now, I've played enough games to know that stuff was about to do down if I followed the feathers. At the same time however, this was a dream. The worst thing that could happen is that I'll wake up. Rolling my shoulders back, and taking a deep breath in, I followed the feathers, I mean what else was there to do? My footsteps took on a casual playful manner, half skipping. It was better described as a waltz-like shuffle. I held my hands behind my back as I stepped forward, tapped the back of my shoe with my other foot and then step forward. I started humming to myself, no real tune came to mind.

It's hard to explain, but the feeling of being exhausted was gone. The fear that Light was going to find me was gone. And the dreading feeling that was associated with my protest of the impending task of telling Mello he wasn't L's successor was gone. It came down to, I felt like Ebony again. It was nice, I liked feeling normal. I actually have forgotten how great dreams were, how relaxing they were. It was a nice escape.

I stopped as I heard a sound, a clank of metal. I let go of my hands and turned to look over my shoulder, my eyes now slightly narrowed. Nothing, it was complete darkness. Strange. I shrugged and started skipping again, pausing when the clank was heard again. I looked down at what I was wearing, it was a darker variation of what Zidane from Final Fantasy 9 wore, the vest and pants were black, other than that it was spot on. A fluffy dress shirt, vest combo with like two or three belts and jeans, I was weaponless but I don't think that mattered. I deduced that the sound was coming from the metal buckles hitting one another. That took me way to long to figure out. Ah well, it was my dream and I was tired.

My hand was held out palm outward as a feather landed in my palm, turning from pure white to a raven color. A frown appeared on my face. Raven, that word, the meaning of the word has a deeper meaning to me. I suppose it was only natural for the feather to turn this color I guess. My name was a synonym for the word. It would be odd for the feather to have stayed the same color I watched the feather as it flew from my grasp, moving faster than the other feathers.

Impulse took over and I ran to catch up with it. Feathers behind me followed my pace as I saw the end of a cliff. My breath caught as I skid to a stop, falling equals death. That's not good! I paused and looked around, there was no other way. The way I had came was gone, I had to jump. Well, like my decision to follow the feathers in the first place, my reasoned lead with the worst thing that could happen was the threat of waking up. I closed my eyes, and leaned forward, falling. Time slowing down as I fell, arms stretched in a "T."

Great, this was a falling dream, should be waking up anytime now right? I closed my eyes and waited. Any minute now I'll wake up. No? Alright that's cool too subconscious I'll just keep falling to my death. I turned to my back, I wanted this to be painless, by exposing my back to the impact the chances of my spine breaking and the vertebra severing my spinal cord was really high. Morbid I know, but I didn't want to suffer in my dream. It's supposed to be an escape.

I landed gently though, no bounce. It was actually comfortable. I ran my hands on the ground, as I looked up at a bright blue sky, grass. Not the dry grass I remember from LA, but not the same that was at Wammy's either. It was like how one thought grass should feel like, soft and there was the void of the feeling of things crawling around in it. I sat up slowly as impulse again told me to turn around. I twisted my hips so I could see behind me better. There was a shadow figure hunched over staring out from another cliff.

Standing up, I slowly walked toward the figure, small blue and black butterflies fluttered from the small flowers that laid scattered in the grass. My steps were even as the shadow figure took form. I froze, it was L. My mouth spread into a smile. My god, he was alive, or sort of alive. Was I going crazy? I guess it doesn't matter, it's a dream. He wasn't dying and that's all that mattered. He was standing, hunched over, one hand in his pocket the other near his mouth, just like he always had.

"L?" I asked almost in disbelief as I leaned forward to get a better look at his face. L turned toward me and actually smiled. Yeah, this was totally a dream. Even though I knew this, I still couldn't bring myself to hug him. I've only done that once or twice in his life, and even if this was a figment brought on by memories and despair, it didn't change how awkward it would be if I hugged him.

L looked at my hand as it hung limply in front of my chest, my biceps flexing to prevent me from launching myself onto the detective. He rolled his shoulders back, his entire body going rigid as it became obvious that he was thinking about doing something that would cause him to feel uncomfortable. I tilted my head to the side and froze up as L hugged me unexpectedly.

"Not that I'm complaining that I'm actually dreaming for once but, uh what are you doing here?" I asked after the hug which I eventually returned. L turned back to the abyss as I sat on the end, kicking my feet. The wind blew hair into my face. This hid my smile that spread across my face. This was one of the best dreams I have ever had, and he hasn't even said anything.

"Thinking," L responded plainly. It was so nice to hear his calm voice. I closed my eyes and bowed my head to hide the happy tears spilling over my eyelids before turning and looking up at him a question painted on face. I prompted him to elaborate. "How is it you survived Ebony? I mean I had a suspicion you were, but it was slim, only about a 21% chance. I am also relieved to know that Light was Kira, I wasn't wrong after all." I smirked same old L. Even in death his inquisitive nature doesn't stop.

"If you can't figure it out, what maked you think I can give you an answer? I mean after Rem disappeared, looking for her was the last thing on my mind. I had to get out of the building and collect my thoughts. I was an emotional wreck. However, when I got to my room, in the middle of the floor was a pile of dust and a notebook. I took the notebook, it's with me back in England. Haven't told Mello and Near who Kira is yet. I don't think I am until they get their bearings. As for what I'm going to do next, I really don't know." L nodded and crouched next to me. He looked at me with his panda stare, it was evident in my voice that this was hard to talk about. Now I know why Mello is always mad, being this emotional was hard.

"Laying low would be the best option. Based on what we know about Light, he will go to all lengths to get rid of anyone who opposes him. By keeping a low profile you could take advantage of Matt's skills and get information covertly. He is most likely going to frame you for being Kira based on the fact you have a notebook unsupervised by the Japanese Police. I wouldn't kill him, if you do that Task Force will arrest you for being Kira. That would be counterproductive, you are me now. I can't get arrested." I nodded in agreement, letting a smile spread across my face. The way he said those last two sentences were almost playful. Maybe I did have an effect on his personality after all. I mean one can only deal so much of my playful childish nature before it started rubbing off.

"Yeah, gotta get out of England. I was thinking about America, super power of the world. If I can get enough support through them it'll be easy to get this proof I need. Also, that's where I'll try to herd Mello and Near, just in case me being you doesn't work out. You had a back-up plan; it's only fair I do too. Oh just remembered! Roger gave me a key to your room. I haven't gone in there yet, I didn't exactly have permission, and Matt could tell….never mind. I was exhausted so I didn't go in there."

" It would be beneficial for you to go in there. There are credit cards hidden that you will find useful. Don't worry, everything you need to have them work is included. As always there is a code in place. Payments will automatically come out of one of m bank accounts." I blinked and looked at him. He has planned this far ahead? I mean I knew from early on he suspected that he was going to die, but the more I found out about his plans, the more amazed I was. After a pause, lifted my hand and poked him in the cheek. The detective looked at me and let his face twist in confusion. "What was that for?"

"I don't know, got bored. Trying to enjoy not having the same nightmare over and over when I take a nap every couple of days or so," I responded with a shrug looking down into the abyss. "Matt's being stubborn, but in a good way. He brings me food and forces me to eat by taking away my computers and books. He makes me try to sleep by giving me de-cafe coffee until I crash." I smiled and bowed my head.

"He cares about you." I nodded distantly. "Are you going to talk to Backup?" My head shot up and I stared at him. He used his alias. L, to my knowledge, wouldn't use an alias of someone other than himself unless it was needed, or he didn't know their real name. BB was no longer a Wammy's kid, why would L use this name?

"Now, I know you well enough to know that you don't consider Beyond a Wammy's kid," I started narrowing my eyes. "Why didn't you use that name, or BB?" L smiled, a real smile. That's when I really noticed it; L wasn't really acting like L. Everything he had said had an up-beat to it. It was filled with emotion, some emotion. Even when he was explaining things he seemed…relaxed. I was losing my touch, this isn't good, not good at all.

"To be honest, I wanted to see if you noticed." I shook my head and smirked. "Also, you dodged the question just like I figured you would. I don't blame you for doing so. I impressed the idea to you that he was dangerous. It was a normal response."

I laid back and looked up, genuinely surprised that my dream had a sky. L turned to looked at me as I let a smile spread across my face. This was nice. L's good mood was contagious. I had no worries, no stressors, this is the most relaxed I've felt since the fight L and I had together. I did nothing and I liked it.

L turned to look over his shoulder at me. He smiled and then poked me in my cheek. I sat up and looked at him like he had just committed a sin. "I was bored," he said playfully. I pushed my invisible sleeves up and shoved him, hoping to throw him off balance, I was the one that fell over.

"That didn't work according to plan," I commented as I shook my head to get the hair out of my face. I heard a foreign chuckle. My eyes widened in shock, L. The emotionless board of a person that somehow was just as childish as me laughed. I won't lie, a part of me thought that the world around me was going to collapse.

I raised my arms over my head and cowered, expecting an explosion, or an earthquake, or the ledge crumbling under me, or a giant teddy bear stampeding through the field of flowers. Nothing happened. Nothing at all, strange.

"Ebony, what are you doing?"

"Huh? Oh, well you chuckled!" I was swinging my arms madly around and then stopped as I evaluated what I had said. "'chuckled' as in the past, never to happen again. Because you are dead…I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Why? It's the truth. I am dead Ebony, nothing will change that." L looked up and frowned. The warm mood of the air changed as the detective blinked a few times. He genuinely looked sad. "Ebony, I am glad to call you my friend. It's in your hands now." He stood up and started to walk off, toward Watari. When did he get there? I mean, it was nice to see him again, but the fact that he hadn't said anything was a little depressing. The old man has never looked better, actually he looked younger. The lines on his face weren't as deep. L paused and turned toward me to say one last thing. "I'll be there when you bring Kira to justice. Good luck Ebony." I nodded with my lips pressed into a fine line. I promise L, I will.

XxX

I was laying on my stomach, arm draped over the side of the bed when I came back to the real world. Immediately I noticed I was able to concentrate better, even with my eyes closed I knew what was going on. I heard some buttons getting a good mashing as Matt cussed at the game. I knew he wasn't on the bed, there was nothing else to counteract my weight on the bed. That meant he was in the chair across the room. I distinctly remember falling asleep on his chest.

This gave me a rough estimate on how long I've been asleep; Matt always went to his room at night. I pushed myself up and noticed I was drooling, gross! I wiped my face and frowned as I rolled over and sat on the bed, stretching. Matt was smiling as he pulled the goggles from his face. No nightmare. I scratched my head and then my nose.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked a little dazed, rubbing my eyes. Matt turned to look at the laptop screen, crossing his arms. He sighed told me about a day. I nodded, it was completely reasonable. Over a month without sleep and being emotionally strained takes it out on a person. I was by no means "caught-up" in my required amount of sleep, but at this rate that will never happen. My eyes will forever have the dark bags if I continue to be productive.

"I really don't want to rush you, but I'm sick of Mello almost killing me whenever I go to eat or walk around asking when you're going to tell him who L chose. So for the sake of everyone's sanity, when are you going to tell them?" He asked tilting his head to the side. I said that I had to prove to them that L had made the right decision. At this point, I had been stubborn and hid my true intelligence. No one here knew who the "real" Ebony was. "So, you're going to play chess against them? You're going to win." I smirked and stood up, stretching.

"Yeah, then I'll play a two-V-one and lose. Together I won't be able to win," I said crossing the room. I opened one of my desk drawer and pulled out two envelopes that were sealed with wax. Inside there were letters, one to Near, the other to Mello, written by L, signature copied by me. Matt and I had one too, but I haven't even printed mine off. I looked at the blonde's letter, I was going to need a little help, once I get out of here. Mello's good at thinking on his feet. I was positive he could get weapons illegally within a week, and that's exactly what I needed.

"Matt, I am going to need you to set up a Rendezvous for Mello in New York. We'll tail him when we can. Offer it to him, he'll take it. It's not like he has the money to get to America on his own. Also, tell him that if he sets us up with weapons that I'll help him get into the Kira investigation Mello style." Matt nodded as I looked at the envelopes again, the gamer typing at the laptop in front of him.

I didn't want to read my letter, I wasn't ready. I wouldn't be ready until Kira was caught, and not a moment sooner. Until then I'll keep it on the flashdrive L gave me. I clasped my hand around it, the other necklace I had on rested on the back of my fist. I turned toward another drawer, grabbing a taser and some earplugs. I was ready, it had to be done. So many dreams have already been crushed in this world, what's one more?

Matt stood up and took my free hand in his. Together we opened the door and walked through the halls of the familiar orphanage. People in the halls were stopping and watching the two of us pass. Shock taking over the expression over most of their faces, others complete resentment.

"Matt, what's today's date?" I tilted my head to the side in thought completely ignoring the stares that were placed on my back. Matt shrugged and responded with a date, December 5th. So it was an entire month has passed. I guess Matt was right about getting some sleep, I needed it. After this I was going back to sleep, maybe I'll go outside I've always loved standing in a snow covered tree.

I knocked confidently at Roger's door, something I normally didn't do. Knocking was normally out of the question. The air vents was a lot more direct and unexpected. It was also behind the desk so I could scare Roger out of his chair. I was a more of the "barge in unannounced" type. Matt raised an eyebrow at my maturity. Putting on the mask much like L did, I avoided his gaze, not because I wanted to, but because I needed to be serious. Being serious while the butterflies in my stomach was impossible. I instead took hold of his hand and squeezed it, smiling.

"Ebony!" exclaimed Roger in disbelief, opening the door wider to let Matt and me in. I simply walked into the familiar dark office and smiled at the chair that was used to scold me for my paint filled antics, misuse of books, taking advantage of the air ducts, and hiding from authority. I could go on, but we'd be here all day. "What is this about?" I crouched L-like in the chair and gestured toward the chair in front of me, waiting to Roger to sit down and looked at Matt with inviting eyes, blinking a few times.

The air of the room was uncomfortable, but I meant it to be. The way I saw it, Roger should recognize this, and as he walked to his desk. He must've talked to L while he was a kid, from what I've heard, L wasn't exactly the poster child. To my amusement, there was the light of knowing in his eyes. I dipped my head in a nod as Matt leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. He was slightly confused, however he probably figured this was an L thing. I nodded slightly toward him, and he seemed satisfied, Matt was a smart guy even though he didn't try.

"Roger, it's time to reveal who should succeed L. I will explain what will happen first before we bring Mello and Near in, that way I won't have to explain it multiple times. It's not going end well, that much I will say upfront," I said as I looked up at Roger who nodded. "I am going to challenge them to a game of chess, Near first so Mello can get the 'advantage' and see how I play. We haven't played a serious game before, and is most likely he is going to be a little cocky." I tossed Matt the taser. "Matt will be beside him with a taser in case the he –who he is, won't help the other player in any way. After they have both lost I will challenge a two versus one game with me wearing earplugs so I can't hear them." I lifted my head and cocked it to the right and held up the envelopes. "I will then give them this, a letter from L and then I'll tell them who is the true successor to L."

I paused, I just explained everything. I let my head fall to my chest. Oh well, Mello and Near probably won't need this explanation, or at least this deep. Either way, I was sure the two rounds won't need my input, only to explain the taser in Matt's hands.

"Mello isn't going to be happy about it, Eb, be careful. We both know how we gets," Matt said as I lifted my head. It was to be expected, Mello's entire world revolved around being L. He was the one that made this entire thing a competition. I was taking that victory from him. I stood up and walked to the chess table that was always set up ready to play. Roger left the room and went to get the two of them. I bit my bottom lip in thought.

"I know, working with Mello after this is going to be hard. Convincing him to work his us is going to be the biggest challenge. In order for what I'm thinking about doing to work, we're going to need his help. Though knowing him, he's going to be predictable at being unpredictable. The only hope we have is to point him the direction we need him to go in," I said, Matt nodding in agreement. He looked at the taser sadly, a distant look in his eye. He didn't remember it.

I smiled and tapped the black plastic devise, explaining that it was the one we had messed with, making the charge weaker than most. In theory it will be enough to hurt Mello to shut him up, but not to make his muscles turn to jell-o. That would be funny though. Still, compared to other ways we could make sure Mello didn't interrupt this was pretty low-key. "You and Wires are the ones that messed with it, I can't believe you forgot," I commented as the door opened. I turned and stood on my knees to watch as Mello ran in before the door was completely opened. Here we go.

"Ebony! Who is it! Who is L's successor!" demanded Mello immediately coming toward me and shook my shoulders, his voice showing the expectation he wanted clear as day. I shook my head and put my finger to my lips. I smiled childishly as I did this, holding my chin up, acting more like the Ebony that annoyed him. "Tell me!" I was shaken slightly as Near seemed to stop twirling his hair and walked over to the seat opposite of me. "I can't lose, not to him, not again!" He wanted an answer, who was I to deny him this? I sighed and pried his hand off of my shoulders and stood up, looking him in his eyes.

"Mello when will you learn, that this is not a win-or-lose situation. It's only that way because you make it to be. The entire time, the entire the 'competition' has been to see who can solve the puzzle the most efficiently. Not just the fastest, but the most thorough," I responded looking at the blonde. He looked appalled at me, his eyes wide, not blinking at all. His lips parted as he shook his head in denial. "Sure speed is a factor when the participants are as advanced as us. The difference between you and Near lies in how you take the case. Near sees it as a puzzle, you see it as you're proving ground."

"This is only a game. Mello, perhaps you should look at it this way; if you can't beat the game, if you can't solve the puzzle, you are nothing but a loser," Near said as I turned toward him, not helping. He was actually provoking Mello, and I was sure he knew this, and he was contradicting what I had just said. This was unlike him, from what I could tell, he liked Mello. The blonde obviously didn't share the feeling, but still this was kind of harsh. "Mello, if you think you are a loser, why do you keep playing?" Oh here we go, I fell back into the chair and shifted my position and sat how I normally sat in a chair with my legs draped over one arm rest my back against the other.

"I play so that someday I can win. I will beat you Near. Ebony, what are you doing?" I lifted an ivory pawn from my side of the board and looked up. My expression toward Mello was completely blank, and this was really hard. I wanted to say something, but I had to remain objective here. I couldn't always be there. There is no promise that I'll still be alive next year. Sighing, I pointed toward where Matt was sitting and said nothing.

"I'm playing chess, please be quiet, I don't want Near to get any third party help, trust me Mello," I said softly and gently, bowing my head using my hair as a curtain to prevent him from seeing my eyes. "Kira gets the notebook and kills Kuro Otoharada and saves 8 hostages," I said as I moved one of my pawns up one space. Near looked up at me and moved a pawn forward, the one in front of the one I had just moved, the center pawn. "L finds out about this killing and others that match a pattern and announced to the Japanese Police that he is working on the case." I heard Mello catch his breath. I smiled to myself slightly as Near simply narrowed his eyes and looked at me briefly. Two moves in and it was already going just like I planned.

Near and I moved pawn around until there was an opening, left purposefully. I looked up at Near as he took it. Nodding slowly, I turned toward Mello and Matt blinking a few times before turning back to the board. "L puts a proxy stand-in on live television knowing Kira was probably watching." I took Near's pawn and put it on the table as I looked into his grey eyes. "Kira kills Lind L Tailor believing he has won, that our mentor was dead." I bit the inside of my lip. I wasn't there, being here at Wammy's while this all happened, I was completely ignorant until I watched the recording L had. I remembered the shock, the excitement. Near twisted his hair around his index finger in thought. Another pawn of mine was captured. "L reveals the location of Kira on the same program." I finished the exchange by capturing the last pawn, the numbers dwindling fast. "Criminals are exclusively killed in this region and are also killed every hour on the hour."

Matt narrowed his eyes slightly. He saw me type this, I was probably whispering what I was typing as I typed it. I was exhausted by then, my memory of the past month is a little fuzzy. I left out a big detail here in the game. He knew it, I knew it, Task Force knew it, and Light knew it. I wasn't going to tell them, it was a detail that was never revealed. I wasn't planning on telling either of them the details, I didn't have too and in Mello's eyes if this was a competition it would be cheating if I did so.

"What the hell are you-ow! Dammit Matt! Ouch! Quit it! I'm about to shove that taser so far up your-" I smiled, typical Mello. Chuckling lightly with Matt, I sat back and crossed my arms. We were enjoying this way too much. Roger couldn't really do anything to stop this, though I don't think he wanted too, he was getting just as much of a kick as we were. Besides, we warned him.

"Mello! I told you no talking," I smirked as I watched Near take his next move. I calmly responded and played in response. The rest of the pawns went down on Near's side, the FBI agents coming in. The first major piece, a knight was captured, it was ebony. I was the ivory pieces. "The FBI agents die." I let one of my pawns get captured. "One FBI agent's death is narrowed down and Naomi Misora disappears."

My fists clenched as I remembered her disappearance. So close, I almost found her. Still, she was missing. It was clear that at this point she was dead, it's almost been a year we had every right to believe this given the situation. I didn't want to believe that this was true. Sadly, like the other things I wanted to believe, like L being not dead, that there was gold at the other end of the rainbow, that dressing up in a bear costume made you invisible, and teleportation pads will be ready for consumer use tomorrow, it just wasn't going to be true.

The game went on like this until my queen stood in front of Near's king leaving the piece nowhere else to move due to my bishop across the board, and my rook on the row behind his king, only his queen, and bishops remained. "Checkmake, Kira uses a Shinigami to kill L and Watari, game over." I frowned and sat back. My shoulders fell and I shook my head. "Kira wins." Near sat in his chair narrowing his eyes thoughtfully at what was left. It was what I expected of Near, but hey I had a month to plan this out. I gave away no information, no more than the media would've if this investigation wasn't totally top secret.

"Ebony, you're saying if I was L I would've lost?" The kid asked after a pause. Just what I expected of him, straight to the conclusion and not really considering why I did what I did. He was the kind of person who would fill in the details after he came to a conclusion. I nodded as he started twirling his hair again. "Would you please explain to me why you were the Ivory pieces? You could've just as easily won like this as the onyx pieces." I lifted the king on the board with my right hand as my left put the captured pieces back on the board. Near knew the answer I've explained this before, but his eyes were pointed to a very confused Mello. I followed his gaze by slightly dipping my head and looking through my hair and nodded slightly.

"It's actually simple, in a crime who moves first, criminal or the cops?" I paused and leaned back, scratching the back of my head and sighing. "Mello, it's your turn." The players switched as the game was played differently. Mello was more of an offensive player. He played aggressively taking every risk brought onto him with consideration. This normally worked out for him in terms of intimidation, but the result was the same. I, or Kira, won again. The same three pieces remained, bishops and the queen. Mello narrowed his eyes at the pieces, his eyes widening when he figured it out.

"Those two are me and Near aren't they?" He pointed to the bishops, his other hand clenched in anger. I nodded as I gestured for Near to pull the another chair up. "You're the queen." Mello trailed off in thought as I pulled out my earplugs and looked across the table. I ignored the last statement. Even though I couldn't find a better piece to represent me, as a queen I felt too powerful. It felt wrong.

Mentally shaking my head to get the thoughts out, I explained the plan to the two of them as I reset the board again. The two of them looked at each other, Mello's face showed one of complete resentment, Near's was calm and void of emotion. Rolling my eyes, this was going to be a long game of chess. I couldn't act as peace maker unless Mello stands up in outrage. Then again, I wouldn't be able to anyways if plan C was going to be put in action either. I put the earplugs in my ears and waited closed my eyes as the muffled voices were heard.

This game was visibly more intense. I was now crouched like L, thumb nail in my mouth. The two of them were smart, covering their mouths as they talked so I couldn't read their lips. This made things a lot more fun. Serious faces on all three of us. Lines of intense concentration decorated all of our faces. The game took easily as long as the two games before, possibly even the games combined. Matt and Roger stepped out and came back with a box of Mello's chocolate and a few bowls of fruit for me. Near had a slight advantage, he was already in his element. Mello and I needed this outside stimulus to perform at our best.

After my third bowl of fruit I wanted to sit back, sigh. I was losing, big time. Sure by the pieces on the board it didn't look that way, but combine Near and Mello and how they were playing, and it ended with me losing by a narrow margin. However, I knew that L would never would let it appear that he was losing, and Light wouldn't either. I had to sit there and play like I was going to win.

"Checkmate, onyx pieces win Kira is defeated." I sat back and ran my hand through my hair, Mello not wasting any time to ask the burning question. I looked at him sadly and avoided his gaze by staring at the bookshelf to my right. "L and I were talking he convinced me that I should step up to succeed him on this case, afterwards it's up in the air. They reason I did this was to show you two that you can work together and be better than Kira, I won't be able to do this alone. My plans after the case are leaning toward retirement. That's when you two takeover the position together. I also have these, don't know what is written, all I did was copy L's signature." I sat back as Mello's eyes widened in shock. He bowed his head after I handed him his letter.

Parts of me expected him to fan-boy and ask if it was his real name written on the letter. But the Mello that sat across me was defeated. His hands were clenched into fists, anger overwhelming him. This was the reality, the rational side of me knew that this is how the blonde was going to react from square one. I looked at Matt and he stood up, everyone unsure how the chocoholic was going to react.

"I'm leaving…this institution," Mello said standing up in one fluid motion. My expression softened as I stood up and fought the urge to walk over there and hug the devastated blonde. Instead, I muttered my apologies to Mello. He turned and looked at Roger who was about to argue with him. "I'm almost 15 anyway. I'll live my own life my own way." I looked at the door and clenched my fists. This had to happen, but it didn't mean I was happy with it.

We had to break the rules of chess, it was the only way. In order for my skeleton-of-a-plan to work everyone had to have their own influence. Near would be best suited with the law enforcement branch, Mello in the crime, leaving me with the normal people. This gives us a wide range of allies and pawns. Then it'd only be a matter of time before Kira spreads his influence to taking over the government, that's when we'll be in trouble. Once that happens, we will have to end this soon.

"He didn't wait for me to finish. Granted, I did pause." I sighed and jerked my head toward the door. Matt nodded and walked out of the room to tend to the fuming blonde. "I don't know if I'm cut out to be L, I want that to be clear right now," I said emotionlessly as I followed Matt out of the office, only to turn and weave my way toward the backyard where I climbed into the tree L and Watari were buried under. Their graves were marked by unmarked gravestones. It's what L would've wanted. It was the least we could've done. I mean the only thing we could've put on L's was his insignia, and even though would look cool, it was a little plain.

I pulled myself up onto the branches, the strain almost foreign to my muscles as I climbed up the tree to lean against the trunk, able to see over the fence. Rain started falling; the mist adding theatrical effect as Mello was seen walking from Wammy's. Matt gave him the fake passport, and hopefully convinced the blonde to help us. Even though the red-head was going to roll with me, he was still Mello's buddy. That's a relationship that will never go away, so we might as well use it to ensure that it never will.

The sun was setting as Mello kept walking, where he was going was unknown. He and I probably had the same thoughts on the matter of where the best place to go was, America. It was the superpower. Knowing Mello however, his drive to do whatever it takes will probably lead him to do some pretty stupid things, and that's probably where Light is going to start focusing his attacks. Don't do anything deadly Mello, please. I know you're not that dense.

I crossed my arms and bowed my head. Now, what was I going to do? My obligations to stay away from BB were void. However, my army of the common man was something that should take priority. The internet might move fast, but even within the vast reality getting an army big enough to intimidate Light was going to be hard. Another concern with this method was, could I get enough people to stand up to Light? This is too far in the future to be thinking, let's get to America and talk to BB first.

Obviously the first thing was an identity, passport, maybe a driver's license, for America. Name, for me Ebony Lawliet, I wanted it to be easy for Light to find me, but hard for him to track. I was impulsive enough he wouldn't be able to find me easily. Matt's going to stretch his hacker muscles a lot. Appearance was going to need to change, he'll be looking for someone who blends in. I should dye my hair red or blue, something that stands out, just until we get settled. I'll probably die it once and let it grow out. The rest of my identity, here at the orphanage or otherwise was going to have to be burned, end of story.

I smiled to myself, the only other paper copy on me was in LA, and all the more reason why I should visit while I'm there. The eyes also was important to the case, we might as well learn how to get around them. This was going to be key, if I could find a way to get around those eyes I could be Kira free. So far, the only sure-fire way is walking around in a mask that covered the face completely. I didn't want too much attention now did I?

"Hey Matt?" I asked knowing he was under my branch probably wondering how insane I was for staying out here in the freezing rain. I heard him call up in response. "How long does it take to completely burn both of our identities and place new ones to be used for us, complete with social security and birth certificate?" I heard him whistle from under me. This was a tall order, but if I didn't think he could do it, I wouldn't have asked.

"That'll take me a while –a week possibly why?" I told him what I had been thinking of and he nodded as he looked up. "I see, I'll do it if I can come." I sighed, I had no choice in the matter did I? Being the old me, I pretended like I had reluctantly agreed to his terms. After we had finished laughing I added that I'll worry about the paper copies of our existence here at Wammy's and told him to take care of his other orphanage while I took care of mine, saying we should meet-up in Chicago. "When are we leaving?"

"Before this year ends," I responded determination ringing out in my voice. "I don't want Mello to be waiting to long." I smirked, Kira was going down, it's four geniuses against one, surely he wasn't going to be able to outsmart the four of us, right? The chances of Light actually wining was slim, and the fact we are all under L included, is only around 3%. Even lower if you consider all I need was proof that Light was Kira.


I really want to make a song reference here, but spoofing "Lose Yourself" by Eminem is kind of overdone. Ebony wouldn't be proud of me.

Also, I know L is OOC, but hear me out…read me out…He's dead. To me being dead means being care-free about the living world. Also, it was a dream. Ever had a weird dream that you woke up thinking "whaa? So-and-so would never do that!" Yeah it could be that kind of dream. But also, how did he know about the cards…questions questions hmmm. Only I know the true answer. I think that it should've been written, to show just how close those two have gotten.

Also, I probably won't post again until mid-May possibly even June. I have tests...and more tests. Also I have a Hetalia-headcannon I just figured out how I want to write so I want to see where that is going. Uh…I think that's it.

As always thanks for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting. Now I should probably go to bed, I have an SAT that's about to have my name written on it.

To Kashagal and Natures Ruler:

Ebony: Haha! You got smacked with a newspaper!

Mello: *growls*

Matt: *Looks up from PSP* …. *Starts playing again shaking his head*

Ebony: *continues laughing*