A/N: This prologue takes place in the past (you'll understand it more throughout the story). The main pairing of this story is going to be a MelloxNear story. The other pairing that is going to be in this story is going to be LxLight.

I do put the pairings in AxB order, so Mello & L are seme. :]

This story will contain A in it! :D

Thank you Sashocirrione in catching a spoiler about A! x]

For those of you who haven't read "Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases" or don't know who A or BB is, don't read this story because it contains a bit of the original arc & I don't wish to spoil it for ya. If you already know who A & BB are, then go ahead and read. For those of you who don't know about A & BB but want to know, go look them up on wikipedia. :)

I'm going to warn everyone ahead of time that this story is going to be dark (that's why it's rated M & I might stick some lemons in here :3 lol).

Oh! Also, I named this story Anthem For The Underdog because that song (which is by 12 Stones) gave me inspiration for this story.

Warning: This story is going to be dark (containing violence, dealing with suicide, and possibly having lemons in the future).

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Death Note Characters. However, this story is mine.

"He's dead."

Watari's eyes widened. Dead?! Shock and panic ran through the elder's body, chilling his bones. This couldn't be right. Roger must be wrong.

Watari's voice was slightly rattled when he asked, "Excuse me?"

"Watari," Roger let out a deep sigh before continuing, "A has commit suicide."

There was a moment of silence between the two older men. Watari could feel his heart pounding in his throat. A had killed himself? A, the successor to L, had killed himself? A, the one meant to work beside L, has committed suicide?! How could this be? How could this happen? Why had he done this?

Roger broke the silence and explained, "A was found in his room this morning. The place was a mess." Roger sighed before finishing, "He had cut his wrists, and he had...slashed his own throat."

Watari shook his head in disbelief at the reality before him. The poor boy. He was so young, so very young. The age of fifteen was not meant to be a death age, not at all. In a sorrowful voice Watari breathed, "This is very dreadful news....What could have caused such an act?"

Watari could hear the anguish in Roger's voice. The elder could tell that Roger was extremely troubled, perhaps more so than Watari. Although, Watari could expect this, considering that Roger knew everyone within the orphanage personally.

"I wish I knew." Roger's breathing was uneven. "Ashton was so full of life....Well, he use to be. I should have been paying more attention. I didn't know he was so depressed. I knew he wasn't himself but suicide? Suicide? I wish...." Roger sighed. "I wish there could have been some way to prevent this. I wish I would have known what had shaken A so badly."

On the other line, Watari nodded. He would have reassured Roger that it wasn't the man's fault, but Watari agreed with himself that it would be best for him to mourn first before trying to overcome it. Sometimes, mourning was in order before one could truly begin to gather up their sadness and move on.

"I'll inform L right away." Watari said, trying to wrap up the conversation. He knew it wasn't the easiest thing in the world for Roger to explain this tragic event.

Roger nodded slowly. "Bye Watari."

"Bye Roger." Watari hung up the phone and shook his head. He grabbed the silver tray that had a French vanilla cake sitting on top of it and began to head out of the kitchen.

Watari entered the room where L sat quietly at his desk. The detective wasn't in the middle of a case at that time. L was simply going through old cases he had solved in the past. Watari set the silver tray on the edge of L's desk.

Looking up from the files, L gave a nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Watari."

Watari gave L a sympathetic look. Now facing L, Watari wasn't sure if he should share the news or turn and leave. Watari was unsure how L would react to this coming news. Would he be lamenting? Would he be indifferent? Would he quickly move on? Would this sorrow be locked up within L for years to come? Even for as long as Watari had known L, he was unsure how the raven-haired detective would react.

"L," Watari tried to just force the news out in a single sentence but stopped as soon as he tried to begin. A large lump had formed in his throat.

L turned his attention away from the cake he was about to take a slice of and looked up at Watari. The light emotion that had been within L's onyx eyes faded into a gray seriousness. A slight frown formed on his lips as the two of them remained in silence for a couple more moments. Neither one of them moved. It was as if L had already known that Watari was going to be the bringer of bad news.

"What is it, Watari?" L asked quietly, his onyx eyes still staring up at the man. Watari could see L's eyes searching him, trying to silently pry the information out of him.

Watari sighed. The news would have to be shared one way or another. He closed his eyes for a moment and shifted his weight nervously. "L," The man began again.

"A has committed suicide."

L's lips parted slightly in a silent gasp as his eyes widened. This shocked expression only appeared for a moment before L became gravely serious. The light left L's eyes, as did the light emotion. Watari observed how rigid L's body and movements became. L's gaze fell to the silver tray. L's finger ran across the cold, metal sides of the tray.

L shook his head and rose from his chair. Watari silently swore he heard L let out a painful sigh. L moved across the room, moving over to the large windows on the side of the room. The detective was slouched forward as he usually was. One of his hands slipped into one of his jean pockets as the other hand rested against the glass of the window.

The detective's onyx eyes stared out at the restless city. As hurried and restless the city was, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Even within the room, things seemed slower. L wondered if the grandfather clock sitting on the edge of the room was broken. It seemed to tick slower than usual.

"Where was he found?" L asked, deep in thought. Watari knew that L was needing to know the information behind this tragedy. Watari could see how troubled L was. The more time passed, the more hurt L appeared, but even in this injured state, L's voice remained even and calm.

"He was found in his room this morning." Watari slowly added, "A had cut his wrists and...throat."

L was silent. His obsidian bangs shadowed his onyx eyes as L stared out at the setting sun. The brilliant colors of the sky seemed more intriguing today than usual. The colors of pink, violet, gold, and orange blended beautifully within the darkening sky. The color orange stood out more vividly then the rest of the colors. Orange....

L let out a shaky breath, not caring if it was heard by Watari or not. It had slipped out against his will. For a moment, L wondered if A was making the sunset look brighter than usual today. L wondered if A was making that vivid orange glow across the sky, in hopes that L would see it.

"Watari," L called out abruptly, "Could you please take the cake back? I'm not in the mood for French vanilla."

The way L had worded that sentence made Watari wonder if L was requiring some other kind of pastry or food. Watari took the tray and paused in the doorway. "Is there anything else you want?"

L nodded. He hesitated before answered, "Could you please bring me a pumpkin pie?"

Watari studied the detective for a moment before asking again, "Is that all you will be requiring?"

L slowly inched around until he was facing Watari. L's raven-black hair was still shadowing one of his onyx eyes. His other eye was dripping with twisted emotions, something Watari didn't see to often. L's stance seemed weaker than usual. It was as if he was trying to keep his posture, trying to force his legs not to shake beneath him.

In a quiet voice, L asked, "An apple would be nice....A red apple. That will be all."

Watari nodded but did not move away from the doorway. L turned back to the window, staring back at the sky. Watari turned but stopped again, not leaving the doorway. There was something winding in his mind. It was something that Watari was curious about and needed to be settled.

"Will it be Beyond who succeeds you now?"

L's head jerked around to the side, causing Watari to flinch in surprise. A single onyx coal stared across the room at the elder. A wicked emotion smothered his eye. The frown on L's face deepened. There was an jagged edge to his tone. There seemed to be some sort of underlying meaning when he replied with a short and unyielding, "No."

Yay for prologues! :]

This part of the story will make more sense after you continue reading the story.

I'd love to have reviews from everyone! I love reading everyone's comments. :)