The blackness peeled away.
Light felt the hot gritty wind on his neck as he looked around to survey a scene in drab grey tones. A desert ruin completely devoid of life.
"Yeah, this place is a dump isn't it?"
Turning, Light found himself face to face with his old partner in crime. The shinigami grinned, his luminous yellow eyes locked on Lights as he chuckled.
"Hyuk. Hyuk. I thought you'd never figure it out Light. I've been waiting here forever for you to show up again. Looks like you're in trouble again though."
"Ryuk!!! What is this place?" Light asked, taking in the dismal scenery.
"I'd say it looks a lot like the realm of the shinigami. Fitting isn't it – seeing as now you're a shinigami as well!!"
Light took a deep breath, trying to keep the panic rising in him from spilling over. "So…I'm in the realm of the shinigami…I'm…"
"WRONG!!! You humans don't listen at all…."
"But you just said-"
Ryuk raised a clawed finger. "I said it looks a lot like the realm of the shinigami. But in reality this is nothing more than the depths of your subconscious."
Looking around, Light felt a chill run down his spine.
"You're telling me that all of this is my own subconscious. This is the inside of my head?"
"Yeah…pretty dismal isn't it? I figured you for an optimistic guy but I guess getting killed does something to you."
"Then it wasn't a dream. Everything with the Death Note was real. But how'd we get here in this new world?"
"Beats me?" Ryuk shrugged.
Light sighed. "In any case, how do I get out of my own head? I was in the middle of a fight."
"You still are." Ryuk laughed.
"What?!" The young man exclaimed. "Then what are we doing talking? Ryuk!! I need a weapon!!!"
"Oh…like this one?!" He offered, holding up a sword. The scabbard was a cool black but the hilt looked worn and ripped, the grey cloth tattered and held together by black belts. Extending his arm the shinigami held the sword out to Light, the skull pommel's red eyes glowing ominously.
"I'm only givin' this to you because I'd rather be out in the other world instead of stuck inside this hellhole. You already know my name so there shouldn't be too much of a problem getting a jump on your competition."
As the sword touched Lights hands he felt the world tilt and suddenly he was pinned to the ground. Above him loomed the skeletal face of the Hollow as it prepared to strike.
"You're awake!" It hissed. "And just in time for the finale!!"
Ichigo turned to look over his shoulder.
"Damn...it looks like we're going to be late for school."
"And why is that?" L asked in his usual monotonous tone.
Taking off down the street, Ichigo led the way back in the direction they had come.
"Hurry up!!! There's a Hollow nearby!"
"Hollow?"
Looking next to him Ichigo felt a prick of annoyance.
How can such a skinny and weak looking guy keep up with me so easily?
"Yeah! Try to keep up!!"
Suddenly L launched forward, disappearing down the street.
"What the – " Ichigo yelped before picking up the pace.
"HEY!!!!
Light's sword slashed across the hollows face, leaving a heavy gash between its eyes. Screaming in rage the creature reared back, snarling.
"You little bastard!!!"
Looking down at the weapon in his hand he felt his confidence grow.
Don't get too cocky, Light. You know what happened last time…
"I know, Ryuk. I won't make that mistake again."
If you insist…
Off to his left Light could see Kai's prone form lying on the roof. The boy wasn't moving but he couldn't see any major injuries from where he was.
"Just hold on kid."
Sharp teeth flew past him as the Hollow struck, its coiled snake neck launching its monstrous head forward with great speed. Another section of roof collapsed under its attack as Light leapt up and over it. Quickly he tried to position himself near the Hollows back but it pivoted quickly, facing him again in a manner of seconds.
"Quick little devil aren't you?" Light growled. The Hollow struck again, scraping past his arm as he dodged.
What's wrong Light? I though you could handle this.
"Shut up, Ryuk!"
Suddenly Light felt something. A weird tickle on his left side and as he looked he could see an orange headed figure rapidly approaching.
"Great! Backup."
But his joy turned to fear as he caught sight of a familiar man running slightly behind the orange haired man. The messy dark spikes caught his eye as they covered ground.
"L?!"
L?!
With a great whoosh of air Light flew back, slamming into the roof of a nearby building and destroying the air conditioning unit on top. As he lie in the wreckage he looked back over toward the battle scene – hiding out of sight as he watched the orange haired shinigami and L launch themselves into the fray.
Light! Light! What's going on up there?!
"Shh…" Light shushed him before remembering that no one else could hear the shinigami. Just like old times.
Ryuk laughed at him.
So..you said something about L? You going to go to jail again? Because if you do I'm out of here.
"No. He's a shinigami."
There was a moment of silence before the voice in Lights head exploded with raucous laughter.
L?! A shinigami?! OH Light!!!! That's too much to ask for!
"It's not funny Ryuk." Light growled as he watched the battle. Watching the confidence and control of his former adversary there was no doubt in his mind that the other man had been training long enough to be well ahead of himself.
"He's always…a step ahead…Just when I thought I'd beat him he comes around and wins again!"
Gripping the cold bricks angrily, Light glared across the distance to L.
"L…I'll just stay in hiding until I can surpass you."
Ryuk sighed in the back of Lights mind.
And why are you worried Light? Didn't you notice that this isn't' the world you knew? The Death Note doesn't exist here.
"I know that, so what?"
It means that the murders you committed never happened here.
Light felt his heart skip a beat as the thought sunk in.
It never happened.
None of it happened.
For the first time he realized he had nothing to fear. Nothing to run from.
Without the Death Note, there were no deaths.
Without deaths there is no murder.
Without murder there is no crime against him.
Without a crime….
Suddenly Light laughed. The relief was overwhelming.
"So even if he does find out I'm here! What can he do! Nothing! Maybe I did win after all, Ryuk."
I'm surprised you didn't see it earlier.
Light nodded. "I've been so busy running I think I forgot how to stop. But now…I can beat L in this world – by becoming a better shinigami."
The thrill of the chase, eh Light?
Ignoring his noisy commentator Light leapt into the air, flying across the street to land on the roof.
The orange haired guy gave him a quick look.
"Hey. You're a shinigami! Then we could use a little backup."
L stopped; his eyes wide as he watched Light approach.
"L…light….you're really…."
Light smiled.
"Hello…L. And yes, I am a shinigami."
Brandishing his sword, Light smiled at the Hollow.
"And it's time to send you back where you belong."