" Near there seems to be a person that is capable of helping us in the case. They are pretty skillful and previously they worked for the FBI." Rester said handing some papers to Near that sat on the floor playing with a couple of robots.

"Mr. Gevanni I would like you to contact this person immediately. They seem rather suspicious to me." Near just pondered for a moment before looking at the documents.

"Near do we really need another member?" Stephen asked with a reluctant expression on his face.

"I never said something like that Mr. Gevanni. I just simply want to know who they are. They were involved in the previous cases too. What do they possibly want to achieve?" Near asked mostly himself.

"Well…I will connect you now…." Stephen said seriously handing Near the device.

"Hello N." The voice said.

"And I suppose you must be M." Near said trying to figure out why that person used the letter M. That belonged to Mello. Maybe there was a connection between Mello and that person on the other line.

"M…May I assume that you are not really M? Now the true M has passed away and so you must be someone who just bears the title. You are rather an enigmatic individual and your tactics are strange too. Don't get me wrong I will soon find out who you are but until then keep me entertained." A chuckle could be heard from the other person.

"You really think that I will let you figure me out, N? Don't assume that and also I would like to say that I don't have any intentions of cooperating with you." M spoke.

"Is that so? Well then I guess you will try to lure us deeper in that game of yours."

"N. Don't be naïve and think of it as a game. This is a mere challenge. If you manage to outwit me then I will just stay where I am. However I must warn you that nothing can stop me from achieving my goals. Not even you. So stop asking such questions and focus." That tone m used was quite familiar to Near. That attitude also reminded him of someone. Mello…The person's aura resembled Mello's but it was impossible for them to be Mello. Then who…who else could have the same motives…the same passion…?

"M…I respect that but could you answer that last question?" Near asked his orbs becoming darker.

"It depends on what you want to know." M responded.

"What is your connection to the previous M?" near asked and M felt their heart beating faster.

"Hm…I believe you already know what the connection is. You just want to lure me in your trap. This time I won't give you any missing pieces N." M said seriously.

"Who are you and why are you talking like you are the same person as the previous M? What do you know about us and were you involved in the Kira case?" Those were questions that were on Near's head. That person knew him and Mello. Did Near know them…?

"Listen I really don't trust you but let's make it more interesting M." Near said.

" What do you suggest?" M spoke.

"If you win you will bear the title of L and I will leave you alone. If you lose you will reveal your identity to me and become my underling. How does that sound?" Near asked with a playful smirk gracing his features.

"The race is on and N…"

"Hm…."

"Don't fall to far behind." M said seriously.

"See you at the finish line, M." Near said taking up the challenge.

"Hm." Both of them hung up.

"Mello…I will make you number one and then I can finally avenge your pride and honor. I promise…Only then I will be able to be called M…just like you…" The new M said gazing at the night sky from a balcony.

"Stupid woman…Why did you challenge Near?"

"Does it matter?"

"Maybe it does after all you use my name."

"I thought you'd be glad but…now I realize that I don't care. See…you can't stop me."

"Che…idiot…you are putting your life at stake…"

"Is that supposed to frighten me?"

"…"

"Death doesn't scare me anymore…There are more painful experiences."

"Don't go all emotional on me now…After all you are still a cry-baby."

"I told y-"

"Go to sleep already unless you really want to look like L in the morning…"

M…. Near….Mello….We are all in this challenge together!

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Last chapter: So this is a short chapter but I think that is the best way to end this. Did you honestly expect me to put Imogene in a graveyard and picture her crying over Mello's grave? No, I don't do such things and after all the epilogue has to be the shortest part of the story. For all of you reviewers that loved this story please review leaving a question and I shall answer them in the final chapter. So what do you think! Leave a comment!