#and how uh. scripted? that must feel. maybe it's not the one predator you must look out for

[b4kuch1n]

you must know what you want to see, dear heart, lest it’s decided for you

[futurebicon]

Carolina

Marine Biologist AU that no one asked for but I wrote because I miss my second home. Probably two parts.

Very brief mention of a family members death

"Hi welcome to-" Leo stopped his normal speech when he was met with the two most gorgeous men he had ever laid eyes on. "Welcome to the Fort Fisher aquarium. I'm your tour guide Leo and this is Regulus." He somehow managed to snap out of his shock even though the greeting was all muscle memory.

“Two guides. Must be special." The red haired one laughed a laugh that made doves fly. "I'm Finn." He shook their hands.

"That and both of us wanted a break from sticky children trying to swim with the sharks and gators." Reg smiled.

"Sharks? Like ocean sharks? And ocean alligators?" The shorter one asked in shock and a lot more than a sprinkle of fear.

'Fuck he's adorable' Leo swore internally. "Alligators are typically fresh water reptiles but if you are asking if they are real sharks and alligators, than no. They're they’re hyperealalistic mechanical sculptures." He kept a straight face.

"Cute and funny." Finn flashed him a smile after another angelic laugh.

Leo had to remind himself to not die right then and there.

“Don't worry, Logan" Finn told the other one. "I'll protect you from the scary teeth, baby."

Now Leo was sad.

“Oh yeah, right after you stop ogling over our hot tour guide."

Now Leo was slightly less sad and confused.

“Actually." Regulus pulled out his phone. "Our manager just texted and said he needs someone in the gift shop. Have fun." He left with a pat on Leos back.

Leo glared as he walked away, they didn't get texts from anyone for any assignment. Hence the walkie talkies on their belt loops.

“So, follow me and we can start the tour." +++

“This is our 235,000 gallon tank." Leo stood over top of the two story tall tank. In here we have our eagle rays, round stingrays, whiptail stingrays, hammerhead sharks, sandbar sharks, sand tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks. We also have two moray eels and an abundance of fish including shanks and groupers. And a personal favorite, Sheldon the green sea turtle.” Leo stood on the rusted grate with ease as if he didn’t care about the hammerhead only a few feet away from his toes.

“Um, this is great and all but can we not stand on the edge without a railing?” Logan stayed as far away as he could an the 2 feet wide walkway.

“You’re completely safe don’t worry.” Leo flashed a reassuring smile.

“Okay yeah but-”

“Stop being a baby, Lo.” Finn poked his side.

“I’m sorry I’m scared of falling into a 23 foot deep death cylinder filled with sharks.” Logan defended himself.

“Alright we can go officially start the tour.” Leo laughed. “But we do have to walk across the tank.”

“We what?” Logan asked.

“It’s okay. Just don’t look down.” He decided to risk a wink.

“Listen to the hot guide, babe.” Finn kissed Logan’s cheek. “I’ll hold your hand.”

“I love you, Harzy. But I do not trust you enough to not try and scare me.”

“I promi- no I don’t. Fine.” Finn whined when his plans were spoiled.

“Alright, let’s go.” Leo laughed.

They got across the walkway with only a few exaggerated wobbles to scare Logan. And a very grumpy Logan when Leo told him there was another way around the tank.

+++

“So here we have our bald eagle Maverick.” Leo walked up to the opened enclosure. “He’s five years old and has been here since he was two. He was found on the side of the road nearly starved after being hit by a car. If you look at his left wing you can see it juts out a little. That is due to the bones fusing together incorrectly and it makes him unable to ever fly again.” He recited the well known script.

“Poor baby” Finn stuck his bottom lip out.

Leo blinked away the urge to kiss the sad look off his face.

“If we walk up here you can see the aquariums prized possession.” Leo smiled. “Luna the albino Alligator.”

“Oh my god.” Finn hurried over to the glass.

“She looks like you, lover. Pale as fuck.” Logan teased.

“Luna is one of just 100 recorded albino alligators world wide.”

“World wide?” Logan asked in shock.

“Yeah. It’s an extremely rare genetic mutation and due to the inability to hide from predators they’re numbers are next to zero. Very soon they’ll be no more albino gators.”

“What happened to that alligators toes?” Logan pointed at the dark green alligator.

“That’s Gantur. He still hasn’t learn that Luna’s the leader.”

“She bit them off?” Logan’s eyes went wide.

“Don’t underestimate her. Ready to continue?”

+++

“This is my favorite exhibit.” Leo’s face lit up as they walked up to the touch pool.

“Touch anything as long as you use two fingers and don’t pick anything up.”

“Are those stingrays?” Finn pointed towards the end of the touch pool.

“Yeah. They’re still babies and their stingers have been trimmed. Their barbs are like thumbnails and can be clipped monthly without any harm.”

“What are those?”

Leo’s face lit up impossibly more.

“These are horseshoe crabs.” He held onto one of the dark greenish brown banjo shaped creature.

“They are also called living fossils due to the fact that they haven’t evolved at all since the dinosaurs, around 450 million years. It’s mostly due to the fact that they didn’t need anything added or taken away for survival. They were made perfectly. Now their tails.” He pointed to the long stick like end as it moved around with the help of what looked like scaley gills. “Most people look at it and think it will hurt. But it won’t hurt at all. They are extremely, extremely clumsy and use the long tail to flip themselves back over.”

“Sounds like you.” Finn kissed Logan.

“Rude.” Logan scoffed.

“Horseshoe crabs aren’t actually crabs at all. They’re actually more closely related to scorpions and spiders. Watch.” Leo smirked and flipped it over.

There were five pairs of claws moving around as the gills moved up and down like abs, causing the tail to move with it.

“Here-” Leo grabbed Logan’s hand, he tried hard to ignore the way his skin burned. “Touch it.”

“Oh no I’m okay to just look.”

“Come on, just touch it.” Leo begged. “Please just touch it.” He pouted.

“Oh my fuck you’re adorable.” Logan voiced Leo’s exact same thoughts from before.

“Here” he blushed and bit his lib to contain the smile. “Touch it.” He guided Logan’s hand down to the center of the legs, desperately trying to not think about how close they were. Logan’s t-shirt touching his blue polo shirt with his name stitched in the side. The way he could feel Logan’s breathing against his side, the way his leg was pressed between Logans le- stop it.

“Eww that feels weird” Logan’s laughed raised goosebumps on his arm.

“You’re touch his mouth.”

“Ew ew ew ew” Logan pulled his hand away quickly as Finn cackled.

“You asshole” Logan laughed as he pushed Leo lightly.

“Sorry, but it’s funny.” Leo laughed.

“You are now my second favorite person on earth.” Finn put a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Oh my god I’m crying.” He wiped his eyes.

“Wouldn’t mind if he stayed our favorite.” Logan smiled.

Leo blushed and moved onto the regular view of the huge tank.

+++

“So how’d you get a job here?” Logan asked Leo as they walked around.

“I’ve lived on the island my whole life and started volunteering here when I was 13.” He explained. “I’m going to UNCW for marine biology. Are you two just here for vacation? Even though it’s April.”

“No. We’re actually moving down here. My grandparents owned the arcade on the boardwalk and left it to me once they passed.” Finn told him.

“Oh. I’m sorry about their passing.”

“It’s okay. Didn’t really know them at all.”

“Well I’ll hopefully see you around.”

“Maybe you don’t have to hope.”

Leo tilted his head in confusion.

“We were just wondering if you would want to show us around the island.” Logan told him. “We’ve only been here for a few days and this is the first place we’ve been to. Not even the beach.”

“Oh that’s nearly a sin.” Leo teased. “I’d love to show you guys around. I get off in an hour.”

“Perfect.” Finn said happily. “Do you want to drive over to our house and then switch cars or do you need to change?”

“That’ll work. There’s a locker room and since there’s next to no one here considering the time of year Evan will probably let me leave early.” Leo couldn’t hide his smile as they walked into the brightly lit gift shop.

Logan let out a loud gasp and ran over to the 6 foot long jellyfish stuffie. “I want it.”

“It’s tentacles are going to strangle you, love.” Finn shook his head.

“Kinky” Logan wiggled his eyebrows.

Finn scoffed as three other people in the quiet store laughed.

“Oh hi again Regulus.” Logan smiled at the black haired man who was sitting on the countertop beside the register tossing a brightly colored foam ball with turtles on it between his hands.

“Hey” He smiled back.

“What’d they need help with down here?” Finn looked around the empty room cluelessly.

“He didn’t help me?” The girl beside him raised an eyebrow. “Hi, Rue by the way.” She waved before going back to glaring at Regulus. “Did Evan tell you to help me?”

“No.” Reg smirked. “Just wanted to leave Leo alone with his crushes.”

“Reg” Leo pushed him.

“It’s mutual.” Finn said and Logan nodded.

“Okay. I’m gonna go ask Evan if I can get off early so I can show you a tour of the island and then get changed and I’ll be back down.” Leo changed the subject quickly.

“They’ll show you a tour of their bedroom and then get you off early.” Rue said quietly but not quiet enough. Leo shoved her hard as Logan, Finn, and Reg cackled.

+++

“So are we ready?” Leo walked back down in shorts and a UNCW t-shirt.

A cropped UNCW t-shirt.

“Uh- yeah. Yeah. Um, yeah.” Finn stuttered failing to make it look like he wasn’t staring at Leo’s tan abs.

Finn on the other hand had no shame. His eyes raked his entire body as his mouth went dry.

“Alright. I’ll follow you guys?”

“Huh? Oh yeah.” Logan nodded.

“Get it Knut.” Reg cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted as they left the gift shop and headed outside to the 100 degree weather.

@lumosinlove

[mikami]

Death Note Audio Drama 12

Disc 12: Apex Predator - a summary / partial translation

Prior translations / an explanation as to what the fuck this is.

If you read any of these translations, make it this one. 

I can’t even begin to describe what is happening here. You just need to let it happen to you. Major CW for suicide though, Misa’s death is elaborated upon greatly and not in the most sensitive way.

_______

Gevanni confirms there is no shinigami attached to Mikami’s notebook. 

______

MATSUDA: Misa, come down. Don’t be ridiculous, please.

MISA: I’m serious. I’m going to jump.

MATSUDA: You don’t want to do this.

MISA: Do I look like I don’t want to do it? I’m standing on the railing.

MATSUDA: Yes, everyone is seeing it.

MISA: It’s a long way down, Matsuda. What’s with all these lights?

MATSUDA: Police cars holding back the crowd. Ambulances.

MISA:  Ambulances? As if I’ll survive this if I fall.

MATSUDA: Probably not, no.

MISA: Probably? I thought this was at least half-way guaranteed!!

MATSUDA: Get off the railing, Misa. I’m going to tell you a few really scare stories. It makes sense that there’s more than one ambulance waiting down there. Sometimes the mere sight is enough to traumatize some people in the crowd.

MISA: They’re standing there in order to be shocked! Huh?! Hey... is this a TV car?

MATSUDA: Uh... yes.Looks like Sakura TV sent a team.

MISA: I guess it’s going to be prime time for me once more. 

MATSUDA: Jeeze, Misa, you can’t want it to end this way.

MISA: Don’t tell me what I want! 

MATSUDA: How long have we known each other? Five years? You shouldn’t treat your brand this way. This is hardly a fitting death for a pop idol. Are you trying to imitate Marilyn?

MISA: I think it’s gonna be pretty spectacular.

MATSUDA: No, it’s going to be shown on dirty snuff porn pages somewhere in the dark net. You won’t be anything more than a sick joke on social media. The worst example on every teen party. “Let’s watch Misa Amane kick the bucket again,” they’ll say. Do you understand?

MISA: People are already laughing at me anyway. I’m just the little girl who can’t sing nor dance. 

MATSUDA: That’s not who you are! 

MISA: I can’t act and my perfume is rose water with detergent. [laughing shakily] I’m a bad joke!

MATSUDA: Misa, please. Let’s talk about this indoors, alright?

MISA: At least this way I’ll get a bit of an obituary! At least I’ll be a real star for one very last time.

MATSUDA: What are you talking about? You’ll be filed under #realsad and only maybe for a day! After that, people will forget about you.

MISA: Haven’t they already forgotten me? I’ve flunked my whole life! Maybe I’ll at least do a good job at dying, huh?! 

MATSUDA: No! Misa. You have your whole life still ahead of you. Death is the end.

MISA: Ahahaha, is it really?

__________

TITLE MUSIC

___________

LIGHT: Misa? I’m home. How did it go? Misa? Misa? Listen, we need to talk. Are you in...?

Phone rings.

LIGHT: Hello? 

MOGI: Light. Come to Aoyama immediately.

LIGHT: Mogi, I need sleep. It’s been a long day.

MOGI: Misa is standing on the 32nd floor. She says she’ll jump.

LIGHT: Wait, what?!

__________

Aizawa and Near meeting at the bar again. Aizawa tells Near about Misa’s and Takada’s fight. Near is pissed they didn’t record the fight. He’ll really strangle Aizawa one of these days, that’s the impression the voice acting gives.

Near shows Aizawa images of the notebook to show that at least HE is making progress.

__________

RYUK: I should have brought popcorn. This is better than TV.

L: This isn’t funny. 

RYUK: Yeah, but... popcorn.

L: Matsuda isn’t trained for this task.

RYUK: Of course he is. He knows what small talk is, or whatever they call it.

L: She hasn’t jumped yet. There’s still hope.

RYUK: Not here, buddy. She’s gonna fly like she’s jumping off the 10 meter board at the olympics. 

L: A real police psychologist could likely get her off the railing. That’s the first thing you learn in that line of work. If they hesitate, you can stop them, even if they don’t want to believe it yet.

RYUK: Yes... or maybe not.

L: What?

RYUK: You really don’t pay attention, do you? Why do you think she’s standing up there in the first place?

L: Nobody wants to die and nobody forced her to do it.. Uh-oh. Someone wrote her name into a Death Note.

RYUK: Bingo. 

L: But why didn’t she jump yet?

RYUK: Think, think hard.

L: It’s a script. She’s following a script. Whoever made sure she’s up there wants her to do something before she jumps.

RYUK: You really are pretty clever, L. 

L: She’s waiting for something. For someone.

________

Light fights through the police lines to get to Misa, who’s been up there for 90 minutes now.

________

Shower noises. Mikami humming passionately. 

MELLO: Teru Mikami?

MIKAMI: U-uh? Where are you? In the changing rooms?

MELLO: Teru Mikami? I’m here for my reward. 

MIKAMI: I’m not in the mood. Whoever you may be.

MELLO: You may call me Mello. You’re famous from TV, Teru. You must be approached by people all the time. 

MIKAMI: Not necessarily when I’m nude at the gym. Please, sir. A little bit of privacy would be nice.

MELLO: That’s been violated for a while now. 

MIKAMI: Excuse me?

MELLO: The SPK is on your heels. 

MIKAMI: I don’t know what you’re talking about. 

MELLO: I’ve been following the wrong suspect. I’ve been wondering... who watches the watchmen? And then I thought, hey! Maybe I should be doing that.

MIKAMI: You’ve got the wrong man, buddy.

MELLO: Oh, I haven’t been following you. I’ve been following Steve [sic!] from the SPK. He’s been looking through your stuff while you’ve been training.

MIKAMI: Leave me alone, Michael.

MELLO: Ah. You know my real name.

MIKAMI: Leave while you still can.

MELLO: You forgot to ask what I am. Even though you know my real name by merely looking at me. 

MIKAMI: Listen. Whatever you want to talk about. I’ve got a notebook in my locker. I’ll just get it real quick and we can arrange a meeting.

MELLO: A notebook in your locker? What does that sound like? I bet you want to write my name into it.

MIKAMI: I am warning you. 

MELLO: It’s too late for that.

Clicking.

MELLO: You’re coming with me.

MIKAMI: A taser? That’s hardly necessary. 

MELLO: I beg to disagree.

Noises of Mikami getting tased.

_______

LIGHT: Matsuda, get back in. Let me talk to her.

MATSUDA: Look here, Misa. Light came.

MISA: He’s the last person I want to see!

LIGHT: Don’t say that, Misa!

Matsuda goes inside.

MISA: I really mean it!! Stay away!!

LIGHT: Misa. I don’t know what she told you, but it’s not true. 

MISA: Then how do you know it’s not true?

LIGHT: Because else you wouldn’t be standing on the railing. Misa, please!

MISA: I don’t remember h-how I got here. 

LIGHT: You’re scared. You were mislead.

MISA: N-n-no, I mean, I can’t remember anything at all... I don’t know when or where we first met, I don’t remember being with you, it feels as if I just woke up! As a loser! 

LIGHT: You’ve never been a loser, Misa. 

MISA: I’ve been a ridiculous little housewife... who waited for you to come home every single day... 

LIGHT: But that’s what you wanted!

MISA: I wanted you to come home! Not for you to hang out with her!

LIGHT: It’s an investigation, Misa! We’re looking for hints! Ask Matsuda.

MISA: He couldn’t even look me in the eyes. He knows it!

LIGHT: Please come down and we can talk about it. I can explain.

MISA: You can’t. Only he can. 

LIGHT: Who?

MISA: I could have done it. I should have been his spokesperson. 

LIGHT: Alright Misa, look over, here. This used to be my grandmother’s ring. I saved it. For you.

MISA: For me?! 

LIGHT: I told you we’d be together. I meant that!

MISA: I-is this a proposal?

LIGHT: I’m on one knee. Misa. Please take this ring. Say you’ll be mine forever. 

MISA: It’s too late. He’s making me do this!

LIGHT: Nobody is making you do this. Stay with me, forever!

MISA: Well. Forever isn’t quite right, is it?

LIGHT: Well...

MISA: Until death does us part?

LIGHT: I didn’t say--

MISA: No time....

Light: NO! MISA!

Sounds of Misa’s clothes in the wind.

MISA: Loves me... loves me ... loves me... 

And a crack on the pavement.

________

RYUK: And splash. Popstar one moment, pavement pizza in the next.

L: You’re unbelievable.

RYUK: It’s in the name. It’s not a love note, note a sickness note, not a funny penguin note... People die. It’s ugly and tragic. Why are you even here?

L: I shouldn’t have had to watch this.

RYUK: And yet you stayed here. Like all the other onlookers.

L: What will happen to her now?

RYUK: Huh...? What happens? No idea. A shovel? And a high-pressure cleaner?

L: No. What will happen to her?

RYUK: Even if she lost her memory, she’s still a former Death Note owner. That has its price.

L: So she can go to neither heaven nor hell. 

RYUK: Yeah. You know the rules. 

L: Only that there are neither heaven nor hell. 

RYUK: Hmmm, it’s complicated.

L: You said people go to nothingness. But I ended up in some kind of office, in which a demon was looking over my files. He spoke of future options.

RYUK: It’s not my job to explain everything to you.

L: It’d be helpful though.

RYUK: Now don’t tell me you caved and chose option B.

L: And that would have been what...?

RYUK: Not everything is as complicated as you think, L. Of course you can get a bit of payback. Have a bit of fun. It will keep you busy for a few years. But you’ve got eternity in front of you, my boy. You’ve got forever to watch your body mutate in grotesque and disgusting ways. Eventually you’ll start avoiding mirrors, because there are parts poking our or coming off. 

L: Yeah, of course. I bet you were a beauty before... all of the teeth.

RYUK: I’m trying to help you, okay? I’m just telling you this job is boring. Every life you take elongates your own. And you won’t stop extending it because you own a Death Note. And that means you’ll neither go to heaven nor hell. 

L: So what happens when a shinigami dies?

RYUK: No idea. What if everything just gets worse? What if this is the best its gonna get?

L laughs.

RYUK: What’s so funny?

L: You’re scared. You don’t know what comes after the afterlife. And you’re no less scared of it than an ordinary human. 

_________

Near sees a report about Misa’s suicide on the bar TV. Matsuda tells the TV that someone forced her into suicide. And then he instantly regrets saying that much. The media now suspect Misa is a Kira-victim.

Gevanni has Mikami’s notebook, so they know Mikami can’t be the killer.

________

Takada is in the wardrobe as Light calls her.

LIGHT: Do you want to explain to me what just happened?

TAKADA: Little present for you. Spring cleaning, so to say.

LIGHT: You wrote her name!

TAKADA: You left the empty pages to me for a reason, right? I put them to good use.

LIGHT: That would be my choice!

TAKADA: She was a weak point and you know it.

LIGHT: You killed her!

TAKADA: Oh darling... Think about it. In all your playboy-ness you didn’t even notice she was only in the way anymore. You didn’t notice it was time to let go.

LIGHT: Let go? That means to toss her off a skyscraper?!

TAKADA: Comes down to the same thing.

LIGHT: Not to me. And especially not to her.

TAKADA: Her amnesia nearly drove her crazy. She knew there were holes in her memories. She was starting to piece things together.... or at least a dangerously large part of them. 

LIGHT: That isn’t your decision. 

TAKADA: I just did decide it.

LIGHT: That’s not how it was supposed to go.

TAKADA: I’m changing the rules. 

LIGHT: Goodbye, Kiyomi.

He hangs up.

TAKADA: Light? Light?? This guy! I think he just broke up!

________

Lidner informs Near of this call. She guesses it was Light on the other end. From the call they confirm they were talking about Misa and her former Kira II status.

________

Takada shows up at a gas station in her pajamas. She’s looking to buy gasoline. 

________

Near and the SPK agree on Mikami being X-Kira, and Light being Kira. They want to catch Mikami first.

________

MELLO: You’re finally awake.

MIKAMI: Where the hell---

MELLO: Don’t panic. This isn’t a real hell. The good thing about this type of hotel is that they’re discreet and don’t ask questions when two men get here past midnight.

MIKAMI: You didn’t need to tie me up.

MELLO: I’d rather prefer you not being able to do anything with your hands. So I have to tie them up or cut them off. Your choice.

MIKAMI: You have nothing to fear from me. Hey, leave my suitcase alone.

MELLO: Where is the Death Note? Where is it?

MIKAMI: It was in there! But why isn’t it...?

MELLO: Damn it. So Gevanni took it.

MIKAMI: Who?

MELLO: The SPK got your little book. Let’s not waste any time, Teru. I know what you do and who you work for. And you know my real name, so I can conclude you’ve got the eyes. 

MIKAMI: I understand. 

MELLO: Yeah, you do, don’t you?

MIKAMI: Excuse me?

MELLO: You’ve got the eyes. So you can tell me Near’s real name. 

MIKAMI: If I see him, yes...

MELLO: Hm. I want the book. Near wants you. Light wants me, and you, and the book. 

MIKAMI: Sounds complicated.

MELLO: Looks like it’s time for a meet-up. 

MIKAMI: What are you looking for?

MELLO: I hoped that somewhere around here... Ah, there. Look at that! This is going to be very professional.

MIKAMI: You don’t have to gag me.

MELLO: Oh but I do, Teru. Because I have to leave you alone for a few hours, while I arrange a few things.  

MIKAMI: There really is no reason--!!

MELLO: Hold still!

________

Takada humming. Liquid pouring noises. A phone rings.

MANAGER: Where were you, Kiyomi? You know the producer hates sausage parties.

TAKADA: Sorry.... It won’t happen again....

MANAGER: Are you sure?

TAKADA: Because I will be dead in around three minutes....

MANAGER: What?? Are you messing with me??

TAKADA: I wish that was the case, but I already poured gasoline over my whole apartment and I am about to set it on fire.

MANAGER: That’s a joke.

TAKADA: Not really, no. I don’t actually want to do this, you see? I would actually love it if you sent someone here to stop me.

MANAGER: I don’t get this. Why don’t you just stop on your own?

TAKADA: I’m really scared, I’m actually panicking, but I’m doing this as if I was just watching myself...

MANAGER: Kiyomi? Kiyomi!

TAKADA: I get how they all must have felt, now. All those faced with their own death. Many must have guessed it, had the epiphany that those where the last moments of their life... and that they were following a script they can’t change anymore... Oh. Sounds like the bucket is empty. I’m quite sad. And I feel guilty because of the people living in the apartment above mine. Farewell. I wish this wasn’t happening right now. He’s forcing me....

Fire noises. Screams.

________

MATSUDA: Thank you for coming, Sayu.

SAYU: No problem, Matsuda. I know how much it hurts you.

MATSUDA: How is your mother?

SAYU: Not very well. How about you?

MATSUDA: I thought I had her. I thought I had talked Misa into coming back down. 

SAYU: If it really was Kira, you know she’d have jumped no matter what once Light appeared. There was nothing you could have done. 

MATSUDA: She didn’t do anything to anyone... She wasn’t a threat to anyone.

SAYU: Except for the woman Light was seeing behind her back. 

MATSUDA: He asked her to marry him. He had his grandmother’s ring on him and he proposed to her with it.

SAYU: Jesus!

MATSUDA: What?

SAYU: He may be my big brother, but he can be such an asshole! 

MATSUDA: I don’t follow...?

SAYU: This is grandma’s ring, Matsuda! I’m wearing it as a necklace until the day someone asks me that question. 

MATSUDA: But he had a....

SAYU: ... plain? White gold? A bit bulky? 

MATSUDA: Yeah...

SAYU: That was father’s, Matsuda. It was given to Light via the will. 

MATSUDA: Oh. That means... he... 

SAYU: Yeah. He lied to her, played an act for her... Same boy who’s always driven everyone crazy! 

MATSUDA: I always thought they were the perfect couple. The thing with Kiyomi really surprised me. 

SAYU: He always kept that woman a secret. I remember him meeting Misa for the first time. 

MATSUDA: What happened then?

SAYU: Well, it was somehow like... like she was his stalker. She just showed up at our house one night. He told us not to tell dad. Under no circumstances was dad allowed to know. 

MATSUDA: Why should he have kept a girlfriend secret from the chief inspector?

SAYU: Uhh... ‘cause she... was famous, yes! The public was supposed to believe she’s still single. You know, for her image. 

MATSUDA: So what? What does that have to do with the head of police?

SAYU: Okaaay... if you put it this way, it is weird.

_________

Funeral music. 

L: I doubt this is how Misa pictured her funeral. 

RYUK: L. Could you stop following me around?

L: What are you gonna do about it? Kill me?

RYUK: Yeah, right.

L: Are we really the only ones?

RYUK: I’m sure there’s still someone coming.

L: Because I don’t think the priest will make his sermon in front of an empty chapel. He won’t be able to see us.

RYUK: Misa didn’t exactly have many friends. She was an only child. Her parents are dead.

L: Right, but what about her fans?

RYUK: Five years ago maybe. Memory is short. Also Kiyomi Takada is getting buried at the other end of town, right now. 

L: Oh, that gotta hurt.

LIGHT: Who are you talking to Ryuk?

RYUK: Oh, nobody. Nothing. I was starting to wonder if you’d come.

LIGHT: I thought I should at least say goodbye. 

RYUK: Guess that’s correct.

LIGHT: Are we really the only ones?

RYUK: Yep.

LIGHT: I remember that almost nobody came to my grandma’s funeral as well. I thought that was sad, but she simply outlived all of her friends. 

RYUK: Still sad.

LIGHT: The present is the bane of the dead.

RYUK: How pretty. Is that Nietzsche?

LIGHT: Hertzfeldt.

PRIEST: You’re here for the burial at 3pm? Misa Wateri?

LIGHT: Misa Amane.

PRIEST: I’m sorry, the name was hard to read. Is it really only you, sir? I thought I heard you talking to somebody.

RYUK: Just him and his invisible friends.

LIGHT: Yes, only me.

PRIEST: Normally, son, I’d ask someone to say a few words to the mourning guests... but... you are the mourning guests.

LIGHT: It’s fine. I already said goodbye.

PRIEST: Then, shall we start?

LIGHT: Please.

_________

MELLO: A playground, Near. Are you here to play on the swings a little?

NEAR: Mello. I was just about to leave.

MELLO: No, you weren’t. Sit down. I am assuming you’ve got a bug on you and that your lackeys are somewhere around here with sniper guns. 

NEAR: You should be correct there.

MELLO: But the police doesn’t know. 

NEAR: I could have called them. You’re wanted for kidnapping and being an accessory to murder. The execution of Light’s father.

MELLO: But you didn’t do it, because you need me. I’ve got Teru Mikami.

NEAR: Alright. Good work. I need you, Mello. You’ve got the trump cards.

MELLO: Just admit it, Near. I am faster than you. I am better. I didn’t have all the data and I didn’t have backup, and yet I’ve got Kira.

NEAR: You’re right. 

MELLO: You’re acting as if you were the great hunter. But I am the apex predator here.

NEAR: I already said you’re right, okay? You’re L’s worthy successor.

MELLO: Just about time.

NEAR: Only, you didn’t catch Kira. You caught his lackey. The real Kira, the original, is still out there. And neither of us will catch him - not without the cooperation of those working for him.

MELLO: Their numbers are dwindling, it seems. I saw Kiyomi Takada went up in flames.

NEAR: That wasn’t Mikami. Whoever wrote her name, they didn’t write it in Mikami’s book.

MELLO: And you know that... how?

NEAR: Because I’ve got his Death Note.

MELLO: You’ve got a Death Note. Obviously there is still another one around. And I suspect Light Yagami has it.

NEAR: A Death Note. Or a page from one. Or a hidden snippet. I don’t know. But he can still kill people.

MELLO: So why not us? We both opposed him face to face.

NEAR: He doesn’t know our names. He doesn’t have that special bonus, the eye thing.

MELLO: Mikami got it. 

NEAR: So all Yagami needs is Mikami and us in one room. Then he can kill us all.

MELLO: So we need to make sure that doesn’t happen.

NEAR: No, we need to make sure exactly that happens. The perfect trap.

________

The priest is reading an awkward sermon for Misa. Still Christian........ Ryuk keeps interrupting and Light is annoyed. This sequence is like. really long. It includes a full fucking psalm reading.

________

Near presents his evidence to Aizawa. Aizawa is not happy about the unlawful way of obtaining the evidence. Near suggests a meeting with Light, Mello and him.

________

Mello calls Matsuda. He proposes an exchange.

_______

RYUK: So here is where it will end.

L: I like the symmetry. This university campus is where Light and I first met.

RYUK: On the children’s playground?

L: No, in the--

RYUK: I’m just kidding, L. I was there. You really got to him. 

L: Tonight it doesn’t look like it.

RYUK: No, tonight is the night. Whoever leaves this campus alive has won.

L: Do you bet, Ryuk?

RYUK: In a certain way, I can’t lose with any variation. 

L: I’ll believe that, yes. This is Light’s chance to get rid of pretty much everyone who is still a danger to him.

RYUK: And Mello’s chance to finally leave Near in the dust.

L: And Near’s chance to prove he’s my rightful successor. Three ways lead here, three directions, three outcomes.

RYUK: I like it. The cherry trees provide a lot of cover. Nobody will be able to sneak in. And really, who goes to a playground at night?

L: The roof over there is within sniper range. 

RYUK: Yes, and I think everyone is aware of that fact.

__________

AIZAWA: Aizawa, Tokyo police.

LIDNER: Halle Lidner, SPK.

MOGI: My name is Mogi.

AIZAWA: What’s this supposed to be, a marksman’s festival? 

LIDNER: I’m just here to protect my employer’s interest.

AIZAWA: Really? I’m here because everyone could only choose one man as company and Matsuda volunteered first. As always.

MOGI: Do you have a license for this rifle, Miss Lidner?

LIDNER: No, arrest me.

MOGI: Let’s get comfortable and get our scope on the target. Without shooting anyone.

LIDNER: Hah. Good advice.

AIZAWA: I’ve got Mikami in my scope, in case he is planning something.

MOGI: Understood. I’ll take Mello. And... Miss Lidner, who will you target?

LIDNER: None of your business.

_________

Light and Matsuda approach the meeting spot first, Near and Gevanni follow soon after. Aizawa informs Light about this. Lidner informs Near. And then....

LIDNER: Can you confirm that Mello is pulling Mikami by a dog’s leash? And that he’s gagged and tied up?

NEAR: Yeah. Still waters run deep, isn’t that how the saying goes?

_________

MELLO: Just don’t pay attention to him. I’m here for the book.

NEAR: What book? Oh, you mean this one.

MELLO: Give it to me. Then I’ll give you Mikami.

NEAR: Steve, do you have a lighter?

GEVANNI: Here. 

Lighter flicking. Mikami making gagged noises of protest.

MELLO: What are you doing?! NO! 

NEAR: Hands off the weapons or my backup is going to fire.

LIGHT: You’re going to kill us all, you can’t burn the book!

NEAR: Of course I can. Look here.

MATSUDA: No! If you destroy the book all previous owners will die!

NEAR: Well, looks like that isn’t quite right. Surprised, detective Matsuda?

Book burning noises.

MATSUDA: Yeah, a bit...

NEAR: Do you wanna know what else is a lie? The 13 day rule!

LIGHT: You can’t say that with certainty.

NEAR: Oh, I’m pretty sure. If you lock up Mikami here for 13 days, he’ll hardly die. I know what you’re thinking Matsuda. If those two rules are fake, then... boom, your boss doesn’t have an alibi anymore.

LIGHT: Don’t listen to him, Matsuda.

MATSUDA: I... don’t know what to say...

NEAR: Light Yagami was declared innocent five years ago based on two rules that you can’t find in any other Death Note.

LIGHT: You’re grasping at straws. And you can’t prove it, now that you burned the Death Note.

MELLO: I’m out.

NEAR: What?

MELLO: I only came here for the book, which you just burned. Alright, Teru Mikami, you’re free. I suggest you try getting to the trees over there.

Chains unlocking.

NEAR: Don’t unchain him!

MELLO: Too late. Run, Teru! See you!

_________

MOGI: Mikami’s running. What should we do?

AIZAWA: Mello’s running too.

LIGHT: Shoot him, don’t let him get away.

AIZAWA: Shoot? Shoot who?!

LIGHT: Mello! 

NEAR: Shoot Mikami! Don’t let him take out the gag. I repeat, don’t let him remove the gag!

LIDNER: He’s by the trees, I don’t have the shot.

LIGHT: Aizawa, Mogi, disarm the sniper. She can’t shoot Mikami!

And they... follow his orders.....

________

Meanwhile running into the forest, Mikami does get out the gag. He starts shouting.

MIKAMI: Nathaniel Rivers! Near’s name is Nathaniel Rivers! Nathaniel Rivers!!

_______

AIZAWA: What the hell? Why is he calling out Near’s name?

LIDNER: Because Kira is on campus, idiot! Kira is here!

AIZAWA: But we’ve got infrared vision! We know of everyone who’s here!

LIDNER: And one of them is Kira! And now get off me.

MOGI: Shit....

______

LIGHT: So... Mr Rivers, I assume.

NEAR: Steve, focus your weapon on Light Yagami.

GEVANNI: Already on it.

MATSUDA: No, you won’t.

Weapon sound.

NEAR: Put that away, Matsuda! 

MIKAMI (screaming from the background): HIS NAME ISN’T STEVE. HE’S CALLED STEFANO.

GEVANNI: He’s shouting out my name! Do you hear that? That’s meant for Kira!

NEAR: Kira is here on campus! Kira is one of us!

MIKAMI: Michael Keehl! Mello’s name is Michael Keehl!

LIGHT: Keep them on their toes, Matsuda. I’ll go get Mikami.

MATSUDA: Don’t go alone, Light.

LIGHT: I’ve got this.

MIKAMI: Touta Matsuda! Touta Matsuda!!

NEAR: Do you hear this, Matsuda? Mikami is yelling the name of everyone who is here, so Kira can kill us all. 

MATSUDA: You burned the Death Note.

NEAR: Kira still has a page! He’ll write all the names. You have to stop him. And do you hear this? It seems like a name is missing.

MATSUDA: Light isn’t among them... 

NEAR: And why...?

MATSUDA: Oh my god. Oh... no... no... I was so stupid...

NEAR: Halle, please come in, Light Yagami is definitely Kira. Knock him out. Halle, can you hear m---

Heartbeat sound.

GEVANNI: Near!

NEAR: He got me-- kill him... kill him...

MATSUDA: Aizawa. Mogi. Light is the target! I repeat, Light is Kira!

AIZAWA: What? Light?

MOGI: It’s dark. We can’t see him.

MATSUDA: Use infrared!

MOGI: Everyone is just a red blob. You can’t tell who’s who.

LIDNER: It’s too late. Kira is gone and got the real names. We won’t make it down there in time...

GEVANNI: Near is dead. I repeat, Near had a... ugh...

LIDNER: Steve! Come in!

AIZAWA: He also got Gevanni.

MOGI: Now there’s only...

AIZAWA: ...Mello and Matsuda.

LIDNER: And... MIkami.

_______

Mikami still shouting names. Gun clicking.

MELLO: Oh, please shut up.

MIKAMI: You... you shot me...

MELLO: You told Kira my name. 

MIKAMI: It... it hurts...

MELLO: Of course it does. Of course it’s nothing compared to the pain I am feeling. I almost won. I was so close.

MIKAMI: I’m... dying...

MELLO: We’re all gonna die, Teru.

LIGHT: Some of us sooner than others.

MELLO: Light!

LIGHT: It’s over. I had to write really small but I thought it was a nice little idea. I’ve got a little opening in my watch in which I am carrying a small piece of the Death Note. Large enough for maybe half a dozen names.

MELLO: Ugh... ugh... Light....

LIGHT: And that’s the typical heart attack. After all, you weren’t the super-brilliant gangster you thought you were. But hey. At least you lived a minute longer than Near.

MELLO: I’m gonna...

LIGHT: What? Throw your weapon at me? 

MELLO: I’m gonna...

Thunk.

LIGHT: Ow. Actually, that was a joke. It’s a special pleasure to kill you, Mello, after you killed my father... And yet, farewell. I’m sorry I didn’t have the time to choose a more creative death.

_________

AIZAWA: Matsuda! I’ve got two infrared signals now. That should be you and Light. 

MOGI: Matsuda!! Please answer!! Give us a signal so we know which one you are!! 

AIZAWA: Matsuda. Matsuda, put your hands up above your head!!

LIDNER: Shit. I don’t think he’s wearing his earbuds anymore.

________

MATSUDA: Not a move.

LIGHT: Matsuda. I found Mello, he’s dead.

MATSUDA: And you are the one who killed him!

LIGHT: No, I’m not.

MATSUDA: You killed them all! Put the pen down!

LIGHT: This? That isn’t...

MATSUDA: Drop it!

LIGHT: Okay, okay.

MATSUDA: You killed them all. You killed Ukita, too! You killed Misa... and your father!

LIGHT: Wait a second, I didn’t kill any of them. That was the others.

MATSUDA: The others...?

LIGHT: Matsuda... after all we’ve been through together... after all we’ve seen... Don’t just repeat what people tell you. My innocence has been proven. Don’t you remember?

MATSUDA: Yes... The rules were fake. I sacrificed the best years of my life to you. And you’ve been mocking me internally the whole time!!

LIGHT: Nobody is mocking anybody, Matsuda. I made a better world. I did it for justice. Can’t you see it? Evil disappeared from the world.

MATSUDA: But what what cost?!

LIGHT: Matsuda. Put your weapon down. You made it. You caught me. Well done. Look, I am putting up my hands. Up above my head. And I’m waving---

BANG.

LIGHT: What the??

AIZAWA: Did you get him?

MOGI: I got somebody.

LIGHT: I’m sorry Matsuda, you were just shot by your own colleagues. That’s actually kind of funny. Now I’ll take this small piece of paper and look for a quiet spot to write their names as well. And then....

Ten seconds of gunshot noises.

LIGHT: Matsuda...??

MATSUDA, speaking laboredly: I said... I said... I said... don’t move.

RYUK: Sorry, pal. Mogi is just trained too well. He only shot the suspect to injure, not kill. 

LIGHT: Matsuda shot me!

RYUK: Yes. And when he wakes up... guess he’ll get a medal for it.

LIGHT: I’m dying, Ryuk... I’m dying...

RYUK: Happens to all of us sometime, buddy. I think you’re already going to be cold when they get here. What should I say...? It’s been real.

LIGHT: I was so close... Almost...

RYUK: I sadly don’t have anything to do a toast with. Can I borrow the pen for a second? Thank you. The shinigami has to do his job.

LIGHT: You’re... writing my name?

RYUK: Exactly what I’m doing.

LIGHT: But we’re friends... allies... You can help me... Just give me a bit of lifetime....

RYUK: Light Yagami, already done. Cause of death will be your heart stopping. But technically that’s true for everyone. There he goes.

LIGHT: I can see someone. I feel that someone is here.... with you...

RYUK: Oh really? You can see him? You really see him?

LIGHT: Someone’s here.... a man...

RYUK: Ah, there’s a term for this. When everything goes clear at the end... what was that called again?

L: Mental clarity before imminent death.

Ambulance noises. Police is also here now to secure the area.

________

L: After...? I don’t think there is such a thing as an after.

RYUK: I know. Sad to see him go. 

L: I don’t think you can feel anything but selfishness.

RYUK: Oh, come on. We were friends.

L: You killed him.

RYUK: I wrote his name in the book. It’s what I do.

L: You killed him the very second you gave him the Death Note. 

RYUK: The Death Note doesn’t kill people. People kill people.

L: You’re responsible for the death of thousands.

RYUK: Did I stutter? It’s what I do.

L: Shinigami makes reports, keep files. Light could have been a good person. You pushed him past the line. You turned him into a mass murderer.

RYUK: He freed the town of criminals. They should make a statue of him.

L: That won’t happen.

RYUK: No good deed goes without punishment.  Wow. This was quite the rollercoaster ride, wasn’t it?

L: Any last words? 

RYUK: What? What’s that?

L: Excuse me?

RYUK: What is that white book?

L: Did you never see one before, Ryuk? It’s a Death Note.

RYUK: Death Notes are black.

L: This one isn’t.

RYUK: I thought you were studying to be a shinigami.

L: That’s what you assumed, yes.

RYUK: What’s that white book for?

L: Even shinigami die, Ryuk. Who do you think writes their names?

RYUK: No, wait, L. I already told you. I just do what I have to do.

L: Stealing the Death Note of somebody else and giving it to a self-absorbed self-righteous young man who then becomes judge and executioner in one. Sending him on a murder spree. That has never been your job.

RYUK: Let’s not rush anything, okay?

L: Nobody is rushing anything. I had years to wrack my brain about this. Your superiors are really pissed, Ryuk. Completely unrelated to any moral questions, do you know how much paperwork you caused? The office is practically bursting. They even had to pull in shinigami from other divisions.

RYUK: You need my real name. You can’t kill me without my real name.

L: Ryukichi Nishiyama.

RYUK: How do you know?

L: I can see it floating above your ugly head.

RYUK: That’s not possible. Shinigami names are invisible.

L: For other shinigami, yes. But as I said... I am no shinigami.

RYUK: What are you?

L: Your superiors didn’t have to ask me for long. They were quite eager to finish the mess you caused. And I think it suits them to thin the herd a little, too.

RYUK: They wouldn’t do that.

L: Oh, but they did. Too many shinigami only hanging around, playing cards and getting drunk... for centuries. The devil finds work for idle hands. 

RYUK: U-uh, let’s talk about this, L! No, don’t write my name! Don’t!

L: There. You’re in the book. My first.

RYUK: I don’t want to die!

L: You’re already dead, buddy. Can I keep the pen?

RYUK: I don’t know what comes after this! 

L: Who even knows that? Just pretend its an adventure. Farewell, Ryuk. Who’s the apex predator now?

RYUK: It’s not fair... This wasn’t the plan... 

L: No? But be honest. Don’t you like it?