Disclaimer: Viz owns Death Note, which is total bullshit. I should be the one to own it! Me, goddamnit!
Twists of Fate
Chapter III: Ascent
Near stared at the pistol transfixed, as if he were mesmerized by the thought of his own impending doom. Light's grin somehow became even wider as he cocked the trigger, and as he felt the slight vibration of the action ripple through his body. Matsuda watched not far away, and he did so with a face very similar to Light's; he looked like a man receiving sexual pleasure, but also eagerly anticipating the climax, the orgasm long desired. But Matsuda's face was not of the ordinary man who receives ordinary pleasure. Instead, it was that of a deranged nemesis, suckling on the exquisite flavors of his enemy's suffering. His eyes were also remarkably akin to Kira's: the glowed with an energy that takes the worst of humanity to achieve.
Mikami had not moved from his original spot. Yet he was of no consequence; he was now only a heartbroken apostle, who watched the battle for Earth from afar.
Near closed his eyes, calmly breathed in through his nostrils, exhaled out his mouth, and then opened his eyes once more. He was still terribly afraid, but he still had enough pride to at least try to deprive his devil of some glory. Though aware that he had lost, he could not bear the thought of perishing without knowing where he had erred in his strategy. Surely, Kira was not so cruel that he would deny him this.
"How…" Near began before his voice broke. He swallowed, and tried once more, mustering all of his fortitude. "How did you do it?"
Light chose his next words carefully, and said them slowly, treasuring the luscious taste of the words as they logged off of his tongue.
"That," he said. "that you will never know."
Near's eyes shot open as far as they could. Light pulled the trigger, and the back of the child's skull burst open. Pieces of skull, blood, and brain matter stained the floor. A bit of the thick red and pink stuff landed splattered on right side of Light's lips. He tenderly licked it off, and find the taste of his victory to be delicious.
Light took the true Death Note in front of Near's corpse. As he bent over, a thought stopped him.
Wait a minute he thought troubled. Near had the Death Note. Why didn't he at least try to use it?
Don't be foolish! He quickly told himself. Near couldn't have used it. You saw how shocked he was! That was what immobilized him. Besides, even if he had tried to use it, you or Matsuda would have shot him down.
Humorously admonishing himself for his lapse in confidence, Light picked up the Death Note in his unwounded hand. Unceremoniously, but feeling on top of the world, he then made his way towards the exit of the warehouse.
Mikami had been silent during this entire time, but could no longer hold his tongue. The sight of his God walking away from him was far too much. It was just not Kira strolling away; it was Mikami's salvation and unending ecstasy abandoning him!
"NO! NO, GOD, NO!" He screeched wildly. "DON'T--"
Mikami was cut off as Matsuda sprayed a group of bullets into the ex-disciple's cheek. It exploded, and Mikami slumped over onto his chest, while his blood outlined his dying position.
Light waited until Matsuda arrived at the exit. Kira's psychotic smirk was all but absent. Instead, the new God smiled peacefully, with tired but content eyes. Matsuda smiled sleepily too, and anyone not aware of their sins would have sworn that their charming faces were that of innocence.
The two faced the exit door, and then slid it open. And with that, the God and his disciple stepped out into the brilliant rays of the sun, ready to build their perfect, new world.
END
Author's Notes: One of the things I love about Death Note is that it's one of those rare stories that doesn't need just one ending. While I greatly admire both the anime and manga finales, I found that there could be a great abundance of alternative endings, each of which could change the victor of the battle. In this case, I decided that I wanted Light to win, and thus cast a dark shadow upon the fate of the world. However, I also decided to include Matsuda as a primary element in this story because I have always been intrigued by his character throughout the series. I was also very interested in his reaction during the official ending, and especially how he completely lost his cool and nearly killed his ex-friend. When I coupled these thoughts with the memory of Matsuda not totally denying Kira's methods in the beginning of Death Note, I came up with the premise of Twists of Fate.
Also, there was originally another death scene for Mikami. I had considered having Light approach him, tell Mikami that he had failed him (Light), and then have Matsuda blow his brains out. After some thinking, I decided it would be crueler to have Light simply turn his back on his avid follower.
