L stared at Light looking down upon him, clutched in his arms while he wore a sinister grin. L could hear his every thought pouring out of this devilish expression. L could at last gaze deep into the childish malice hidden under Light's invincible facade. Light was sending the message, that after all this time, he had finally won.
L watched as death washed over him, images and sounds of his life and past were a flurry in his mind. It was too loud to bear. Light and the rest of the task force could no longer be reached.
He shut his eyes...
Every sense in his body disappeared. He had achieved true silence. Not even his thoughts could be heard, and yet he still thought them. He was lost in this nothing, but undoubtedly far, far away from the threshold whence he came. This threshold was no door, or a tunnel with a light at either end. Not even the Light that sent him here. No. It was more of an emotional transition according to L. It cannot be described as a location, and yet you must "be there" to understand. Though it's probably different for everyone. With this he... "felt" like he was drifting even further away. Like he wasn't supposed to go that way. Plunging deeper into nothing as far as he could, unsure if he was forced to go or not. L let go of his heavy sub-consciousness to rest.
Time passed...
L possessed only the knowledge that he still existed, a higher existence. He waited for something to happen. Any kind of fate. Damnation perhaps? No. Too simple. That was what he felt was happening anyway.
He felt. Yes. He was feeling. Indeed that was happening. He realized that he actually had regained consciousness. He explored every corner of his mind like he would the nothingness. And then. A shock. An external force. L felt his senses return. Like pouring water on a doomed wanderer in the desert, he came back to reality. Kind of.
L discovered his body. He couldn't stay in what could only be described as nothingness forever. It seemed like all imaginable time had passed there and at the same time hardly any at all. To make it simple, you could say he was just "gone". ...He felt grass under the back of his hand and the fresh air inside him. He found the strength to use the rest of his senses and just look around. His eyes returning to their ominous, never-ending state.
He found himself on a soft hilltop with apple trees everywhere, and the sun shining brightly with the vivid colors showing intoxicating beauty. He grimaced. Clouds curled in the sky around each other and mountaintops far in the distance. A palace could be seen on one of these mountainsides, but just below out of the valley nearby is a town. Archaic looking by his standards. Songbirds flew towards its windmill.
Was he really dead? And if so, was this to be his fate? What is this place? Why here? All difficult questions. But of course L was no man to muse over any easy question. Not like this.
He rested his back against the nearest tree, simply accepting this new reality. An apple fell from its branches. No one would kidnap him just to put him in a place like this. Yes. There was no denying it. L had died and gone to... well... heaven? No. But certainly died. He looked up and winced again at the intensely bright sun. He hasn't been outside much lately. He tried to turn away, but just as he slithered into the shade, he heard this woman's voice. Talking to him.
"Hey, you! What'cha doing in the middle ah' mah' orchard? You better not be munchin' on somn', ya varmint!" L shot up immediately. He hadn't even noticed her walk right up behind him. He should have expected this.
"I meant no intrusion I assure-" Good lord. It had impossibly large beady eyes, a bright orange coat, a hat and baskets hung around its back and was looking up at him standing maybe three and half feet tall. A talking, altogether sapient little pony.
He shuddered. That wasn't the strangest thing he had ever seen. Not even close. But perhaps one of the most surprising. It looked like some children's toy.
"Oh." And that's all he could muster. The pony, rather impatient snapped again, "Huh? What's the matter? You can talk to me. Don't you try to hide it now!"
"Yes I can talk." L had to do something besides act confused and flabbergasted. "I'm sorry if appear to be stealing you crops. From the looks of the settlement over there, I'd say agriculture is easily the most vital function of this community. So... I understand."
She turned her head with a skeptical expression, "Well. Sure. Gee, who are ya anyway? Yer not some animal." The way L was hunched over is probably a sign of the impression.
"You may call me Ryuzaki, please."
She showed some clemency and laughed a little, "I guess varmint won't really work, now, huh? Ahm Applejack. Call me Applejack." L could tell that Applejack figured out that Ryuzaki might not be his real name. Of course she most likely didn't know what having that information about a person in his world meant, so maybe a slight mock was the worst that could happen.
"Seriously though. Why are you in our field, hm?" Her expression flattened.
"Honestly... I have no idea." Which is true, but something didn't sit right with him telling Applejack that he had died. This wasn't going to get that complicated now. No way.
"I don't remember anything about this place. I don't belong here. You found me just as I woke up in this field. I wish there was a better answer, I'm sorry."
Silence...
"We need to get'cha out of here. I'll take you in. I'm not gonna just leave ya out here to dry like this. C'mon, now!" L walked down the other side of the hill from where Applejack came with her. "You can meet mah family!"
Of course there's more of them. There'd have to be. "Thank you." he said.
Applejack trotted slightly ahead, "If we just cut in through here-" L still couldn't believe this absolutely ridiculous situation. Of all curious things to happen after death, It really had to be this? It doesn't make any sense. No one was waiting for him here. There wasn't some big, official initiation into the afterlife, only what seems to be a completely random place in the universe.
After emerging from the apple trees into the farm, L was properly introduced to the realm of Equestria and some of its inhabitants. Applebloom, Applejack's younger sister who yearns endlessly to earn her cutie mark, the concept of which L secretly thought was absurd. Granny Smith, the wise one, from a totally different generation and keeps family tradition. And Big Macintosh, the physical one whose strength and actions speak louder than his words. And of course, Applejack, the fellow farmer and also competitive athlete; talented in what seems like every trade.
And they're ponies.
L rejected any unpalatable food such as hay or flowers, telling them to think of it as an allergy. The house they lived in was rather homely and pleasantly average. An excellent alternative to a harsher alien environment. No... Alien is the wrong word. They're not leaving out L at all. They're acting most kind to him and enjoy the pleasure of his company even as a complete stranger. They got out all the major details of their society, like race, locations, and their immortal and mortal leaders the princesses. In fact, they're showing greater humanity than L may have experienced at home. Anything he needed was his, dinner, space, they even let him use the shower. Of course, the quality of humanity is not measured by service. It's something else. They seemed especially kind to him because they wanted to leave a good first impression, but also because he knew very well that they knew he was lost and alone. They knew he had been isolated. He could tell.
This is when chatting got around to where he came from. L had died already, so telling the Apples about his career was not a risk, it seemed. So reluctantly, he revealed it. Mostly.
"I'm a detective on the planet Earth. I really don't mean to gloat, but my duty is to choose the most difficult cases and always finish them. The international police call on me every so often and I've been catching criminals for years. But there's one thing. I keep my true identity a secret. But suddenly one day, I was whisked away here. And as you can imagine, I wish very badly to return. No offense, of course. That's a small idea of what I do, anyway."
Applebloom jumped at this, "Wow! You're just like a super hero in the comics!"
"I promise you it's really not that kind of work. And besides I have no "powers" or superfluous gadgets to speak of. And the kinds of monsters I catch aren't created by radioactivity or harsh chemicals, they're all criminals."
Applebloom whined, "Oh, c'mon! That's still so cool!" Then she changed her tune a little, "Well actually my big sis' is kind of a super hero herself! She's even got her own fighting moves and a lasso!"
L was bitterly reminded of his clashes with Light. Without the lasso.
Applejack seized up, eyes widened. "Now uh... Ah don't think Mistress Mare-velous is at ALL the same to my lassoing! Nope! Not a bit!"
Applebloom paused for a moment, "No silly, I mean how you help save Ponyville all the time! One time you even did it by yourself!"
Applejack, failing to hide her relief, said, "Oh, yeah. That."
Applebloom inquired, "I didn't know you read Power Ponies, Applejack."
"Uh... Spike kinda pulled me into it."
Applebloom smiled, "Really?"
Big Macintosh coughed to halt the line of conversation.
Granny Smith took it away, "I think mister Ryuzaki should get to meet Princess Twilight soon. Maybe she can help him re-connect with Earth."
Applejack concurred, "Yeah! That's a great idea! We'll have a meetin' at the new library tomorrow mornin'! I'll go over then and tell her the news!"
Applebloom again jumped in with excitement, "Twilight Sparkle is an alicorn and she's the go to expert on magic! She knows everything, she'll help you out!" L blinked.
"Magic. I see."
"Well that settles it then." Applejack stood up. "I'll take Ryuzaki to see Twilight tomorrow!"
At the evening's end, Applebloom and the others were heading off to bed. Applejack noticed that L was not following. He was still crouched over on his chair. "What's wrong, Ryuzaki?"
"I don't sleep. It's never part of my schedule."
"Oh c'mon now. That's the most ridiculous excuse I've ever heard. You need your sleep. Insomnia or not. Tell me what's goin' on."
"It's true. I can't sleep. You'll have to just wait for me."
Applejack came around closer in front of him. "I'd feel about the same about just leavin' you out there as leavin' here on the floor! You can even take my bed, jus' for tonight though."
"I really don't think that's necessary."
Silence...
Applejack told L to wait a moment as she went upstairs for a blanket. When she returned, she found him there lying sprawled out on the floor, totally knocked out. She chuckled quietly to herself and threw over the quilt and set down the pillow. Then retired.
L opened his eyes. Even fooling Applejack, he wasn't going to get sleep tonight anyway. Even if he did regularly. Too much was weighing on his mind. Questions darted about in a fit of paranoia. Not even expecting answers. Creating an emotional roller coaster going between pleasantness, anguish, and utter chaos.
"Was I right to choose Near for this? Who else could be dying in my absence? Why hasn't poor Watari joined me here? Will the false rules be exposed? Where is that shinigami? And the other? Will the case even continue? How far will Kira go? Where is *Light*?
Then he stopped. "No. I need to think in the now. I don't know anything yet, and I guess I'll just have to leave it at that. We'll see if this Twilight Sparkle can... reverse death." L felt an emptiness in the pit of his stomach. He knew lying to them was not a good idea. What had come over him? But he just couldn't tell them. How could he tell these ponies about such a terrible world, where disagreeing with Kira can cost you your life? Ruining their innocence? Perhaps this may be what a life of secrecy and anonymity has cost him. Nothing's changed. Maybe...
L stepped behind the window, shooting a glance at the night sky.
"Can you hear that? Are you familiar with this?"
"Send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."
Author's Note: Here's a little treat for you all to recap the mood for this chapter.
Youtube Video
"Good afternoon. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and I'd like you to meet my friends."
L was sitting on a wooden stool in the middle of a round, crystal room near six thrones and six diversely colorful ponies filling them surrounding him. A very young dragon named Spike fetched him his seat, but seemed rather frustrated when he sat in his usual fashion on it, crouching on his heels. Spike put his face in his claws because he may have wondered how that was any more comfortable than simply crouching on the floor. What a foolish thought.
"Thank ya, Twilight. I thought if we're gonna make some big plans around here, I thought we ought ta get the whole gang together. And I'll admit, this sure seems like a great place to do it." Applejack seemed pleased to sit upon her throne for real business.
Twilight Sparkle was pointing across the room, "I think you already know Applejack." She tipped her hat. "Rainbow Dash, professional flier." Rainbow Dash just sat there. "Rainbow. Will you say something?" Twilight was waiting for some acknowledgement, and Rainbow spoke, "Eh. I'm good."
"Okay... Fluttershy, animal caretaker and also athlete." Fluttershy murmured, "That was just once or twice, Twilight. But that's okay, you're not wrong though." Fluttershy was talking more to Ryuzaki than to Twilight. She was staring at his feet most of the time when she thought he couldn't tell. "Rarity, over there, is a fashion designer."
"Yes, and I can tell I'll be working with you as soon as I can my wet hooves into that hair of yours." she quipped. Twilight broke the silence, "Uh, yeah. And this is Pinkie Pie, baker and party planner." She looked like she was nearly about to fly out of her seat and crash through the ceiling. "Hi!"
"And I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship in Ponyville. And this is Spike the Dragon."
L was aware that the princess, Twilight Sparkle was just trying to be as graceful and polite as possible to her esteemed guest, but for the first time in probably all of L's living memory, he felt like bursting out laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of his situation that seemed to come straight out of Alice in Wonderland. He resisted of course, he didn't even smile, but it was an awful feeling. Maybe he didn't know how to laugh. He got away from this as soon as he could. "I've been given to understand that you're also a very skilled practitioner of sophisticated magic. Can you tell me anything about why I might be here?" Twilight responded with another question, "You say that you were just minding your own business in your world, and all of a sudden you were... here?" Applejack said aside quietly, "That's what I said."
"That's... the long and short of it, yes." L answered.
Twilight loosened her royal disposition a little, "Then I really don't know what to say. It could be anything."
"Yes, I know it would certainly be helpful if you had more of a lead. Maybe to get the answer we should think about this differently. Instead of what might have happened, perhaps it would be easier to start off with who might have happened." The group of ponies 'mm-hmmed' in harmony. Twilight sat up some more, "Yeah. It's hard to think of what purpose you'd be here for. I for one think it's outrageously irresponsible for a pony to tamper with powerful magic for fun."
"I agree." L replied. "We all should know, right?" Rainbow Dash added. "Can you think of any individual, pony or not, who may have caused this?"
"Well Discord for one. That seems like the obvious choice." Rarity suggests harshly but Fluttershy interrupts, "But we always blame Discord for our problems." A debate begins, and Applejack steps in, "And why shouldn't we? I know he always comes through for us, but he is the one, allota the time." L came up with a distraction. "Well maybe Discord has a twin named Cacophony." Pinkie Pie took the bait, "Very good, Watson! That must be it!" Fluttershy disagrees, "I don't really think so, girls..."
Twilight dismissively comments, "We'll remember to ask him sometime. Now. There's also Zecora, but I doubt it was, because it would have to be an accident and I've never heard of her making a huge mistake like this, I'm sure." Rainbow Dash concurs, "I think you're right, Twi. But it's still worth a visit to see if she knows what's up. She's always got these weird, but cool surprises for us." Pinkie Pie seemed offended. "Hey! I thought that was my thing!" Rarity whispered, "Not now! Please."
"Well what about Trixie!" Spike points out, reminding everyone of her and of his presence in the room. Twilight answers, "Well sure, but without the Alicorn Amulet, that by the way we took away and is now safe, Ryuzaki, and with her new found benevolence, I'd say the chances of her doing something that big and irresponsible are pretty slim. Not impossible but again, I'm not counting on it." Spike still isn't satisfied. "Nopony can tell for sure what's right or what's wrong. You have to figure that out for yourself, and I wouldn't call Trixie either 'benevolent' or 'malovolent'. You never know." This caught L's attention, and his eyes quickly shifted like a hawk at Spike. "Yes... I think you're absolutely right..."
"Anyway, I can tell we'll be running around a lot looking for answers near and far, all over Equestria." Twilight had the attention of the whole group now. "I can't think of how you got here off the top of my head, Ryuzaki, but I can look through the many collections of spells and records and maybe dig up an explanation. And if we're lucky, a way to send you back. Also, if that fails, there are others we know like we mentioned with special powers and knowledge. To recap, There's Discord, the... reformed god of chaos, Zecora the zebra, a powerful and mysterious apothecary who lives in the magically rich and dangerous Everfree Forest, and I suppose there's also Trixie the stage magician. But she's on the road all the time doing shows so we don't really know where she is. Or even if is doing shows anymore... Not to mention the other three princesses and my brother, Shining Armor."
"...You would do all this for me?" L was thinking hard about all of this new information.
"I certainly would." Twilight assures. "Is everypony else prepared to help solve this mystery?" The answer was a resounding, unanimous 'yes'.
"Alright then. Girls, I have a plan."
Twilight decided that they needed to part the group into four pairs. Twilight would go with Ryuzaki through Ponyville's books and then to the Everfree Forest to visit Zecora and investigate the ruins of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters to look at more books. All the while telling Ryuzaki more about how the world and magic works. Spike and Applejack would travel to the Crystal Empire to talk to Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, where they are currently staying, and to check out the library there. Spike apparently has had statues erected in his honor for saving the crystal ponies from doom on two occasions, so getting a quick appointment with the Princess should be no trouble. Rarity and Pinkie Pie will take the next train to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and to check their archives. Lastly, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash will arrange a meeting with Discord. Twilight is convinced that this is at least a two-pony job. With the arrangements settled, a letter is sent to each party that they plan to meet with. Except Zecora because the mail service doesn't go through the Everfree Forest and Spike can can only send letters instantly to Princess Celestia, whom they will get to forward the other two messages to Discord and the Crystal Empire, because it is faster.
The rest of the day will be spent preparing and everyone telling their friends and families about their absence. Rarity was disappointed that she couldn't stay with Ryuzaki to come up with a "less boring" outfit for him. Things got awkward when she asked him if she could see his pants sometime. ...For the pattern.
Applejack says something quietly to Twilight on her way out, and her response was, "I'm sure we'll be doing nothing but talking. Don't worry. He's not all that."
When the door is closed and the evening begins, L is seen wandering around the castle. He asks Twilight when she's near, "So is this where The Right Honorable, Lady Princess of Ponyville takes residence while in office?"
"I don't think you have the right idea." Twilight wasn't totally sure if he was being serious. He was obviously alluding to something she'd never heard of. "Well I hope you're not badly allergic to anything in the Everfree Forest, because we'll probably be there for a while."
"I doubt that I'd have allergic reactions to anything my species hasn't ever been exposed to. I'll admit I'm not a doctor, but that just seems logical."
Twilight just sighed.
L, after all this nonsense finally says it, "Thank you."
