I do not own Death Note

Chapter 54 Finale

It was raining. Perhaps this was some great deity's way of setting the stage. Rain pouring down to signify the ending of an era. Whether or not it had any sort of meaning, it was raining. With the rain, was cold. It seeped into the old abandoned warehouse, only serving to make the rusted walls and cracked floor seem even more foreboding. Puddles littered the floor; a result of the rain leaking through the roof and being tracked in from outside.

"The weather is oddly fitting, isn't it?" I mused to Near. "Adding atmosphere to what will be the final stage."

"I did not realize you were so dramatic in regards to these matters," Near responded fitting a crude mask on his face. It was meant to be an effigy of L, though it resembled Near's finger puppets than the man himself. The eyes bugged out disconcertingly, giving the appearance of a frog with a human face. L probably would have called it an accurate representation.

"Only when the situation calls for the dramatic," I answered. "And the finale always does."

"Perhaps." I could hear the smirk in Near's voice. "They should be arriving soon." Near cocked his head. "Yes, I believe they have." Near carefully flicked over the puppets he had assembled on the floor and pulled his knees up to his chest.

The door opened with a metallic screech, protesting being opened after being left closed for so many years. My eyes adjusted to the brightness that shone through despite the rain and managed to make out Light's silhouette. He would have appreciated the effect of being surrounded by glowing light; it would fuel his image of being God quite nicely.

The great whirring of the fans overhead suddenly seemed much louder in the room due to the arrival of the long awaited guests. They approached single file and stopped directly opposite of us and what they determined a safe distance.

No one seemed surprised by presence there. No one, but Matsuda. His eyes widened and flickered to Aizawa, his mouth already opening to form a question. Aizawa caught his eye and shook his head once. Matsuda's face fell, disappointment and betrayal his prominent expression.

Mogi stared at his team impassively. It was clear that he had sided with the SPK when he did immediately move to Light's side.

Light's eyes were narrowed. Not only because of Mogi's change in alliance, but because of the face Near was wearing to hide his own. Light recognized that face. And he clearly felt near unworthy of claiming it to be his own.

"It's them. Those four are the SPK, and the one wearing the mask is Near," Aizawa said finally.

"Huh, hang on, am I the only one who sees something wrong? He can go around accusing people of being Kira. But the fact he's wearing a mask says he's only trying to protect himself, not anyone else!" Matsuda shouted, trying to vent his feelings in some way.

"It's just a precaution. There's a good possibility that Kira has already seen the faces of everyone in this warehouse except for mine. In fact, he may be writing down your names as we speak. So, I'd like to wait for one hour, no, make it 30 minutes. That should give us more than enough time to see if anyone is being controlled before they die," Near reasoned, his small voice echoing eerily around the room.

"What? You're gonna wait and see if we die?" Matsuda repeated, fear and outrage present in his voice.

"Please humor us, Matsuda," I called across the room.

Matsuda tensed, staring at me with accusation. I smiled softly at him. He nodded stiffly and focused on the floor.

Light however, was not as compliant. The moment I spoke up he met my eyes with silent fury. I was a traitor to him more than anyone. I stared at him passively, not allowing emotion to escape into my face. He looked at me as if he hoped to bully me into returning to his side begging for forgiveness. For one brief second, his expression turned pleading as one last desperate attempt to sway me. I softly shook my head and he finally looked away.

The next thirty minutes were excruciating. The sound of the storm outside increased and water dripped heavily from the ceiling accumulating into the already formed puzzles. The fans continued to rustily screech and carried in the cold draft from the storm. The odd hooks and pulleys that hung from the ceiling swayed and clinked ominously in the silence. Near may have accused me of dramatics, but he was the one who chose the venue.

"Near! It's already been over 30 minutes! Nothing's happened yet!" Matsuda yelled.

"Of course, not. That's because Kira is not here with us," Light placated in a soft reasonable voice.

"Catching flies with honey as always, Light," I said to myself more than anyone else.

"Very well," Near answered. "Everyone seems to be safe. I'll remove my mask now." He tugged the ask off. Near smiled at Light in a mocking manner, somehow his expression matching L's exactly.

"You're quiet, Near. What's wrong? Are you still waiting for something?" Light asked returning the insult with his own scorn.

"Waiting?" Near pondered. "That's an excellent choice of words. Yes, I am waiting for the arrival of the one who will solve everything once and for all." Near turned a Kira finger puppet to face the one that represented himself.

"Someone else is supposed to clear this up?" Ide grumbled in disbelief

"He'll be here soon. It's only a matter of time. There is only one entrance to this building and the only way to look inside is by opening that door. That means he'll walk through that door, or, at the very least, open it and peep through." Near slipped on the Mikami finger puppet appropriately attached to a notebook.

"And just who is this person, anyway?" Matsuda demanded in frustration.

"X-Kira; the one who's currently using the notebook and killing people on Kira's behalf. He's bound to come here and bring the notebook with him, then he'll see me, and write down my real name. Or rather, he'll write down the names of everyone here who knows about the notebook, and kill them," Near continued. The task force reacted with shock.

"What, what are you saying? This isn't making any sense! What are you trying to tell us, Near?
That some other guy is gonna drop by with the notebook, poke his head and kill us all?" Matsuda questioned, hoping that somehow by saying this out loud it would prevent this.

"And you want us to sit back and let it happen?" Ide added.

"Yes," I said simply interrupting their crazed shouts. They stopped to stare at me incredulously.

"Yes, that's correct," Near confirmed. "Now, listen carefully. If someone comes into the warehouse through that door, just let him in without resisting. If the door opens slightly, simply act as if you don't notice anyone there," Near instructed.

"But, but that's just crazy!" Matsuda shouted.

"He's already here," Near announced.

From outside the newly cracked door came the sound of furious scribbling. Matsuda in a panic, drew his gun unthinkingly

"Matsuda!" He looked at me agitation his grip on the gun shaky. "Put the gun away," I ordered calmly. Matsuda looked at Rester and Gevanni who had both drawn their guns in response. "Put it away." Matsuda's grip on the gun slackened and he replaced it in his jacket.

"Everything is fine! You won't die!" Near reassured, increasing the volume of his voice.

"How can you be so sure, Near?" Ide yelled back.

"Because I modified the notebook. We took repossession of the notebook and replaced the pages. The person behind the door has been doing the killings for Kira. He's also been using exactly one page every day. Based on that, I was able to replace the page he would use today as well as all subsequent pages so that no one else would die," Near answered calmly. "On the other side of that door is X-Kira. My guess is, in roughly 40 seconds, he'll look inside to see if we are dead. That's when we restrain him and seize the notebook. Whoever's name is not written down must be Kira."

"It's true. Kira would be the only one that guy wouldn't try to kill. But still…"Aizawa trailed off in doubt.

"You there, outside. Have you finished writing down the names in the notebook?" Light asked in a relaxed voice.

"Yes, I've written them," Mikami answered in a faint, but recognizable voice.

"You don't find it strange, Light?" I asked tilting my head. Light didn't respond, instead looking at me coldly. "Why did he answer you? Surely a disciple of Kira has no respect for his persecutors…" I mocked.

"Who knows." Light shrugged as though the matter was of no concern. Maybe he's just honest.
Or confident he'll succeed. Or perhaps he's seen through Near's brilliant plan."

"Huh? In that case, we're in big trouble," Matsuda voiced in fear.

"Teru Mikami!" Near called out. If it's not too much trouble for you, won't you please come in and join us? I already know that you are the one who's been judging and executing people for Kira. If you've already written down our names, then there shouldn't be anything to be afraid of. You can come right on in."

"Teru Mikami, is it? He's correct. There is no reason to hide from us; you can come in," Light added using this opportunity to make his victory more complete.

The door was pushed open. Mikami stepped inside, rain dripping from his hair in clothes. In his arms a notebook and pen.

"How many seconds has it been since you wrote down the first name?" Light asked conversationally.

"Thirty seconds. Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three…" Mikami counted, "…thirty-eight, thirty-nine…"

"Well Near, looks like I win," Light said with a smirk.

"Forty!"

The task force braced themselves, awaiting their deaths. The sound of the rain died down and for a brief moment, sunlight burst through the windows.

"…we're still alive. It's been over a minute and we haven't died," Matsuda observed in confusion. He looked at his hands like he expected then to suddenly rot and fall apart before his eyes.

"Didn't I already tell you all that no one was gonna die?" Near said in an exasperated voice.

" Bu-bu, but why? Why won't they die?" Mikami asked in desperation. He turned to Light. "God, I did everything you told me!"

"Rester, Gevanni. Take him now," Near ordered.

Both men moved quickly, restraining the now frantic man. He no longer resembled the kind reserved man I had met. Instead, he looked like a frightened animal being backed into a corner. An animal with no escape. Mikami cried out against his captors and tried to struggle despite the handcuffs on his wrists.

"Gevanni, the notebook, please." Gevanni handed Near the notebook. "If you didn't believe me earlier, then see it for yourselves," Near suggested, holding up the notebook. "I can confirm that the first four names are definitely the real names of the SPK members. The second four are the names of your team. Even Miss Yagami's name was written down." That was a small surprise. I had been unsure if my name would have been written due to my earlier meeting with Mikami. Apparently the only thing that mattered was Kira's wishes. "The only name that hasn't been written down is Light Yagami."

"He called you God, Light and said he was following your orders. You are Kira, Light. L was right," I said calmly watching anger beginning to make itself known on his normally expressionless face.

"IT'S A TRAP!" Light screamed. I stepped back, watching in horror as Light let fear and panic consume him. "This whole thing is a setup! This is all part of Near's plan to frame me! Isn't it little odd that no one died after having their name written in the notebook? This proves it's a trap!" Light reasoned desperately.

"I believe I already told you that no one would die because I modified the notebook," Near answered simply.

"N-no, you…that, that can't be." Light paused for a moment trying to think. "…this is a setup.
I don't know this guy!" Light gestured at Mikami. Mikami let out a sob of disbelief that his god would so easily forsaken him.

"Light, it's too late to deny it," Aizawa said in a disappointment laced voice. He placed his hand on Light's shoulder. "You know Near has won. Just a moment ago, you were saying, 'It looks like I win.' How much more of a confession do we need?" Light's gaze drifted to the floor.

Matsuda dropped to his knees; his entire world ripped out from under him. "Light...why?" he asked in a small voice.

Mogi moved towards Light, a pair of handcuffs in his hand. He pulled Light's wrists together. Light squirmed away still trying to find some way out.

"Stop it!" Light yelled. He turned and tripped, hitting the ground hard. He scrambled to his feet and placed both his hands on a wall; just standing there heaving. His eyes were wide. He didn't have predator's eyes anymore.

Why…why did this hurt to watch? I hadn't expected this. I had been waiting for a proud confession. A daring attempt for escape. Something that could make me hate him, even when he died. He wasn't human anymore, I would be able to say. But right now. All he looked like to me…was a scared little boy.

"Light Yagami. L. Kira. It's over," Near said firmly. "You've lost the game. Just a moment ago, you proclaimed your victory expecting us all to die. And, to tell the truth, you might have actually won. And I would have lost. We ended up doing exactly what you expected us to, and altered the fake notebook in Mikami's possession. However, when I said before that we'd modified the notebook, I was in fact referring to the real notebook as well as the fake. We only switched part of the fake notebook, but, as for the real one, we've replaced the entire thing." Near pulled a death note from the inside of his shirt. "This notebook here is actually the real one."

"No, impossible!" Light denied.

"We used the same kind of pen that Mikami used, copied his handwriting perfectly, and made both the inside and the outside of our fake look exactly like the original. Gevanni was able to do it in a single night. Of course, since I had touched the real notebook before coming, I've been able to see the Shinigami as well." Near looked slightly above where the task force was gathered.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Shinigami. I'm Near."

I reached down and touched the notebook. I followed Near's gaze and saw the shinigami. He was much more angular than Rem and Sidoh had been and the most humanoid of the three. His face was reminiscent of a clown's with white make-up, but his yellow bugging eyes ruined the effect. He wore clothes versus the bandages and scraps Rem and Sidoh had worn. He wouldn't have looked out of place at a rock concert or a haunted house.

"Ha ha ha!" the shinigami laughed raspily. "Nice to meet you, too. My name is Ryuk."

"Some of the edges of this notebook's pages are torn. Tell me, if someone's name is written on the ripped up piece of paper, will they still die?" Near asked.

"Oh yeah. Of course, they would." Ryuk seemed to have no qualms about answering Near's questions

"I thought so. I bet you were able to use that to your advantage. I wonder how many times you deceived with this, and how many people you killed. Light Yagami, you are Kira." Light looked away obviously trying to understand what went wrong. "You are mistaken," Near anticipating where's Light's thoughts would go. "This was all thanks to Mello. I believe if I explain this much, you'll begin to understand."

So that's what Near meant when he said he would have proof later. He was counting on Mello to make a certain move in order to be able to pin Light.

"Please take a look at this page of the notebook," Near requested. The page displayed Kiyomi Takada's name.

"God, you told me you couldn't move freely. I had to make sure Takada was taken care of!
Wasn't that my duty to you?" Mikami pleaded. Light glared at him in response.

"It's all true. On the 26th, right after Takada's kidnapping was broadcast on the news, Mikami went to the bank," Near continued.

"I've been trailing him," Gevanni explained. "I knew he went to the bank every month on the twenty-fifth, so it was bizarre for someone so methodical to go to the bank twice in two days. I followed Mikami to the bank as he headed for the safe-deposit boxes. It was only at this time that he seemed concerned whether someone was following him or not. I got into his safe-deposit box; inside was the real notebook. Sure enough, Takada's name had already been written inside it."

"Do you understand now, Light Yagami?" Near asked. "You didn't realize that Mikami made a move on his own and wrote Takada's name in his notebook because you had already killed her using a notebook clipping yourself. This was the event that made me consider the possibility of a fake notebook. We were able to stop you thanks to the efforts of one person. It was Mello who did it all."

"I bet Mello knew in his heart that, working by ourselves, neither of us would be able to obtain our goal and surpass our mentor L. But, together…together, we can stand with L. Together we can surpass L. And now, acting as one, we face to Kira who defeated L, and, with solid evidence, beat him at his own game. Let's see you try and talk away out of this one, if you can," Near said with a smirk in his voice.

Light's face slowly lost all expression. His mouth began to twist and small bursts of sound began to escape from him. He tilted his head back and a full-on laugh bubbled from him; rich with insanity and humor, that he a God could be cornered.

"…that's right," Light finally side when the laughter subsided. "I am Kira. And what can you do? Kill me right here? Hear this; I'm not only Kira, but I am also God of the new world! Kira has become law in the world we now live. He is the one who's maintaining order. I have become justice. The only hope for mankind. Huh, kill me? Is that really the right thing to do?
Since Kira has appeared 6 years ago, wars have stopped and global crime rates have been reduced by over 70%. But, it's not enough."

Light paused, breathing heavily. The madness that had fueled his crusade was finally shining through. The one pure ideal that became black and stained with the blood of his victims.

"This world is still rotten with too many rotten people! Somebody has to do this! When I first got that notebook all those years ago, I knew I had to do it. No, I was the only one who could. I understood that killing people was a crime. There was no other way! The world had to be fixed! A purpose given to me! Only I could do it. Who else could have done it and come this far?
Would they have kept going?" Light questioned. "The only one, who can create a new world, is me."

"No." Near tone held the slightest lilt of anger. "You're just a murderer, Light Yagami.
And this notebook is the deadliest weapon of mass murder in the history of mankind. You yielded to the power of the Shinigami and the notebook. And you have confused yourself with a God."

"You're a murderer, Light," I said. "And that's all you ever were."

"Near! Here's some food for thought. That notebook you have and the one that Aizawa brought from the Japanese task force headquarters, are they both real?" Light asked in a mocking voice. "At the moment, only I know where the real notebook is." Light turned his back to us his hand gravitating towards his watch. "If you truly want to defeat Kira as well as test the notebook that Aizawa's carrying, I guess you're gonna have to write down either my name or Mikami's.
It's the only way to see if it's real or fake!" Light pulled out a pen attempting to write on a small piece of paper from his watch.

"He has a piece of the death note!" I yelled.

Light was blown backwards by a shot to his hand. Matsuda's grip on the gun he had just fired was shaking. He breathed heavily trying to compose himself after shooting Light.

"Matsuda," Aizawa said in awe.

"Matsuda, you idiot!" Light screamed, blood dripping from his hand. "Who the hell do you think you are shooting at? Don't screw with me!"

"What was that all for, then?" Matsuda got his feet. "What about your Dad? What the hell did he die for?" Masuda screamed back.

"My Dad?" Light asked in between crazed giggling. You mean Soichiro Yagami? That's right, Matsuda. In this world, all those honest people like him who fight for justice; they always lose. You want the world where people like that are made to be fools? I know you understand so kill the others! SHOOT THEM!"

Light was deteriorating even more quickly now. I was genuinely afraid now. Not for myself, but for him. I would have wished every sort of pain on Light. But not insanity. Not being unable to know right from wrong or reality from fantasy. But Light was heading there. By his own hand.

"You led your own father to his death. And now he's gone, you call him a fool?" Matsuda asked, tears streaming down his face.

"His blood!" I screamed watching Light trying to finish a name with the blood from his hand.

Matsuda let out a yell and began firing in rapid succession. Lights creamed in pain as the bullets struck his body. Light hit the ground landing in one of the puddles on the floor. Matsuda strode toward him, muttering, "I'll kill him. I'll kill him! HE HAS TO DIE!"

I ran without thinking, putting myself between Matsuda and Light. The task force reached for Matsuda attempting to restrain him. The gun fired, its trajectory changed at the last moment, hitting the ground, barely missing Light and myself. Matsuda sobbed.

"It's okay Matsuda," I said softly. "He's not going anywhere." Matsuda was let go and he hastily wiped the tears from his face.

"Arrggh, damn you. What the hell is this?" Light sputtered, shock overtaking him. "Mikami, what are you waiting for? Write down their names! Write them down! Aarrggg, kill them now!" Light demanded. "Where are you Misa? Where is Takada?" Light coughed heavily. "Rei! Where's Rei?"

I froze watching Light trying to call for me, trying to find me. I pressed my hand to my face, trying not to sob like Matsuda. I wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to be disgusted. I was supposed to feel happy. I was supposed to be feel relief. But all I felt was dread and pity and sick.

No. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Mikami screamed. I turned to face him watching a fountain of blood emerging from his body.

"Mikami!"

"Quick! Stop the bleeding!"

"Sorry, it's too late. He'll be dead in a few seconds."

Everyone turned to focus on Mikami. I watched Light as he managed to get to his feet and slip outside. And I followed him.

I followed him.

I ran behind him as he stumbled, clutching his wounds, trying to find some place to escape.

He was a murderer.

He was a killer.

He was Kira.

He was my brother.

And strangely, it was only that last fact that mattered.

"Why are you sulking, Rei?"

"I'm not sulking."

"Yes, you are. Now tell me why?"

"Why are you so much better than me at everything?"

"That's not true."

"It is! And you have more friends, everybody likes you."

"Well…I don't like any of them."

"Why not?"

"Because they're boring. They don't do anything interesting. I only like you."

"Why?"

"Because you're not boring. You know me."

"Oh."

"That's all you have to say? How about a 'thank you?'"

"…thanks."

"No problem."

"…I love you, Light."

"Love you too, Rei."

I followed Light into another warehouse nearby. He climbed the stairs inside collapsing on them. I trailed behind him finally stopping and sitting next to him.

He looked at me wearily. His hair was matted from water, sweat, and blood. His suit ripped and torn from bullets and falling. He didn't look like a god. He looked human.

"Hey, Light." He didn't answer me. "I know, you're probably angry with me…" I trailed off stopping. "I always could understand were you were coming from," I said, starting again. "I understood why you felt like you needed to cleanse the world. But…all I want…" I met his eyes. "Did you ever feel any regret for the people you killed. At least once, did you ever feel sorry? Light? Light?"

He didn't answer. His breathing spiked up and I watched as he managed to place his hand over his chest. His eyes went dark. But in the last moment, I imagined the look in his eyes to be apologetic.

I reached for his hand and held it, trying to give him some comfort as he passed on. Eventually, his skin grew cold and I let go.

I sat there, alone, with the corpse of my brother.

"What now, L?" I asked out loud.

"Miss Yagami," Near greeted. I had made my way back to the Yellow Box after showing the task force where Light was.

"Light's dead," I said by means of an answer.

"I expected as much." Near paused. "I understand this may not be the best time to broach this topic, but from this point on I will be assuming the identity as L. I would like to offer you a position with me acting as Watari."

"I'm flattered, Near, but I can't accept right now. There are things I need to do. I'd like to finish university for one thing. I know it's elfish of me, but could I ask that you keep the offer open for just a few years?"

Near took that in. "The arrangement seems acceptable for the time being. But I have another matter I'd like to discuss with you." Near seemed to grow slightly uncomfortable. "L in the event of his passing, made it possible for you to be able to ah, have children without procreating."

I stared at Near blankly while he fidgeted. "Are you telling me that L made it possible for me to have children with him?" I asked.

"Yes," Near answered stiffly.

I burst into laughter. "THAT IDIOT! God, he is unbelievable. He planned for that? Misa was right, he really was a pervy old man!" I continued to laugh tears streaming down my cheeks. "Well, I can't accuse him of not being thorough. Honestly!" I managed to stop laughing. "Thank you very much for telling me that, but I'll have to decline that offer for the moment as well."

"I had a feeling that would be your answer."

The Kira case was now closed.

L was dead.

Light was dead.

I had nothing to do.

No tasks or missions left behind.

No cases.

No schemes for revenge.

I was free.

I supposed that meant it was time for me to begin living my happily ever after.

And so I did.

~Author's Note!

DOOOONE! All that's left is the epilogue! Did you all catch my super indulgent part? Yeah…well you should have.

We reached over a 1,000 reviews. HOLY CRAP.

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