Same disclaimers apply…same warnings apply.

Japanese used:

"-sensei" – Means 'teacher', used when addressing/talking about school teachers, doctors, or instructors

"Hakase" – Means "Professor". Typically, it's a term given to inventors or scientists

Chapter 2

Kid grimaced when he was ankle deep in the sewer water. Not to mention that he had barely landed when it got completely dark.

"I hope you're not standing right below me…"

Kid stumbled to the side as there was a small 'splash' that indicated that Conan had jumped down the last couple rungs of the ladder.

"Change your outfit if you can. In the chance they follow us, it's less likely that a couple kids exploring the sewers would be suspected. Can you do that in the dark?"

"Of course!"

There was a rustle as Kid changed. It wasn't his usual speed because of his injuries, but he still managed to revert himself back to Kaitou Kuroba. The reason he picked himself to go back to?

There was no point in being anyone else. Still, he pulled a blue cap over his head to hide his face as best as he could…after he flinched from the contact with his bump. He was dressed in a green and blue sweatshirt with a pair of jeans and sneakers. All of his Phantom Thief gear appeared to be gone as he hid it the way he usually did.

"Done?"

"Yea."

There was a 'click', and the area was suddenly illuminated slightly.

Conan held up his left arm to point his flashlight-watch ahead of them. "Let me see your arm."

Kaitou blinked, but knelt down.

Conan pulled out a handkerchief and tied it tightly around the injury. "This will have to do for now. If your other injuries aren't that serious, we should keep moving. They might check the entrance to the sewer. If we're long gone by then, they won't investigate."

Kaitou nodded and limped along after the boy. There were hundreds of questions he wanted to ask, and he was sure that the kid felt the same way. But, the need for silence was greater.

Though, it was a slightly uncomfortable silence, both would admit to that.

Conan trudged ahead with a frown on his face. Now…once we get out, where do we go? I don't know if that's his true face or not, but either way, I can't bring him to the hospital. I'd have to explain how he got that bullet wound. Not to mention that he probably still has his Kid gear somewhere on him…if they find that, his cover's blown. And if his cover is blown, those guys in black will know immediately and charge in.

"Hey…" Conan whispered, "You checked yourself for bugs, right?"

"Yea…when I was getting changed. There's nothing," came the pained whisper in return.

Conan fell silent again as they walked along (or, as he walked and Kaitou limped). I guess we have to go to Agasa-hakase's place. Only, I don't completely trust that guy living next door. We can't exit out too close. Plus, neither he nor Haibara are doctors. And, we'll definitely need a doctor for his arm by the time we get out. Pray he doesn't lose too much blood.

Kaitou grimaced as he clasped a hand over his wound. It's not bleeding that badly…hurts, but it must have been a clean shot. My head is swimming, though…I think I felt some blood when I was changing cloths. Must have given myself a concussion on the way down…

Conan, meanwhile, had his plan secured. Alright…we'll go to Agasa-hakase's place. It's the only safe haven we can use. I'll give Araide-sensei a call…I hate to involve him, but he's the only doctor that has extraordinary skills outside a hospital, and he knows a little about danger. Vermouth masqueraded as him for quite a while, after all. I really hate to involve someone else, but as long as I don't tell him the details, we should be fine.

Kaitou lost track of how many times they turned, and how long the silence lasted. All he knew was that his legs trembled, and his vision swam a little more often than before. Plus, pain seemed to be his best friend at the moment.

Finally, Conan stopped. "This should be far enough for now. What other injuries do you have?"

Kaitou leaned against the wall for support. "Hard to say. Definitely a concussion…my vision has been blurring for the past few minutes. Left wrist hurts to move, probably a sprain. Same with my right knee. And, you already know about the bullet wound."

Conan glanced back at him. "Can you make it a little farther? Another block and a half, and we'll exit the sewer. Then, another block from there."

"Two and a half blocks?" Kaitou groaned. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem. But injured…

"I know it's asking a lot…but taking a taxi is risky, and this is the only place where it'll be safe."

"Safe for whom?"

"Both of us. I also know someone that can keep a secret that can patch you up. Though, I don't plan on telling him much about it…he won't ask too many questions about the bullet wound."

Kaitou wiped sweat from his forehead. "You sure know your connections…"

The boy shrugged. "I wish I had more that could help in this scenario. Speaking of which, what exactly were you stealing?"

Kaitou blinked, then chuckled and reached into his pocket. "You can have it. You technically 'caught' me, so as a reward…"

"I see…this is your true face, then." Conan smirked as he took the piece of paper.

Kaitou visibly jolted, then gulped.

"That actually makes things easier. Don't worry…I'm not going to turn you in. You're not Kid right now. Though, you'd better have a damn good reason for all those heists."

"I do."

"Can you tell…" Conan trailed off as his eyes caught part of the heading of the paper that he had started to pocket.

"What's up?" Kaitou noticed the trailed off sentence.

"Where did you hear about this formula from?" Conan's hands shook as he stared at the paper.

"Ah…the challenge to Kid through the paper. Dunno who wrote it…"

"You were set up."

"Eh?!"

Conan carefully folded the paper, and just as carefully put it in his pocket as if it were a national treasure. "Those guys in black probably set up the entire thing. They challenged you and knew you'd respond, and intended to kill you and take the formula."

"How do you figure that? Besides with what just happened, I mean…"

Conan was quiet a moment, then said, "This isn't the place to say so. Now, tell me, why did you take up the challenge? It can't be just because someone challenged Kid."

"Yea…well, it wasn't a gem, but it was rumored to be able to create one…"

"I read about it. You can skip this part."

"Right. There's a gem I want to find…and destroy."

"Any particular qualities this gem has?"

Kaitou hesitated, then sighed in defeat. He hurt all over, his pride was torn to shreds, and the kid could always change his mind and turn him in. What did he have to lose? Besides…this was a guy that was in over his head, too. "Immortality."

"So, that's why the description of the formula caught your attention…"

"Yea. I didn't want them to get their hands on it, whether the gem is already in creation or being made. I think it's already been created, though, because my father…"

Conan glanced at the teen when he trailed off.

Kaitou had a frown on his face, and Conan could tell that not all of the pallor of the teen's skin was from the pain of his injuries.

"So, they killed your father over this gem, who was probably the original Kaitou Kid. You discovered all of this, and want to find and destroy the gem so the ones that killed your father can't get it. Right?"

"Bingo…" Kaitou attempted a smile.

"You've been targeted before, then?"

"Not by the same guys as tonight. Usually, it's just two with animal code names. Snake and Jackal…"

"Jackal? That wanted jewel thief?"

"Yep."

Conan frowned in thought. "Then, at some point, their organization must have come in contact with the guys in black…especially with tonight's heist. They used you to get the formula for them. Maybe it was originally thought up to be some sort of gemstone. But the formula on that page isn't for any sort of immortality. Quite the opposite."

Kaitou blinked in surprise. "Opposite?"

"It's a poison." Conan gestured for them to start walking again since Kaitou had regained some of his breath. That's right…at the top…it says 'APTX-4869'. I don't know if I should call this a lucky break or something ominous.

Kaitou's eyes widened. "That's why they want it…"

"It's probably the last copy of the formula in existence. Their research on this particular drug came to a grinding halt. So, of course, they want it badly. Still, your stupidity amazes me."

"Hah?" Kaitou nearly tripped at the change in the boy's demeanor and tone.

Conan sighed in exasperation. "You accept a challenge to steal a suspicious formula from someone you don't know, and don't even think that it could be one giant set up."

"Hey…I'm used to Snake and Jackal. I figured it might have been them. They confront me head on…"

"I repeat…you're an idiot."

"You're the last person I want to hear that from…"

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

"Uh, huh…"

It wasn't much longer before Conan helped Kaitou out of the sewer and onto the deserted street he had chosen to exit to about a block away from Beika Street.

Kaitou cringed a bit in pain when Conan replaced the sewer cap.

"How are you holding up?" Conan questioned softly. In the dim light from his watch, he had taken quick glances at the magician, and didn't like how pale the teen was.

"Manageable…"

"The truth, this time, please."

Kaitou grinned tightly. "My head is pounding, my arm hurts like hell, it's a wonder I can stand on my leg, and I feel like I'm gonna puke. How's that?"

Conan frowned. "Maybe I should call Agasa-hakase and have him pick us up instead of walking there…"

Kaitou leaned against a nearby wall. "As long as he won't be in danger, I'm for that suggestion."

Conan nodded, and flipped his phone open.

Kaitou tried to hold in a groan as he sat on the ground, back to a building. My vision is getting blurry again…

Conan's next call was to Araide…he would prefer to have the doctor waiting for them when they got there, so calling ahead of time was the least he could do to shorten the wait Kaitou would have.

Kaitou barely heard a word the boy said since his ears were ringing. There weren't many people out on the sidewalk, probably because of the Kid heist and the late hour.

"Hakase is on the way, and Araide-sensei should arrive shortly after we get back. Are you listening?"

Kaitou grimaced and let his head fall into his hand, then supported his arm on his good knee.

"What should I call you, anyway? I can't tell Araide-sensei that you're Kid. Though, I'll be telling Agasa-hakase since we are going to his house. So, you can make up a fake name or whatever…just something to call you."

"Kuroba Kaitou."

"Weird name."

"That happens to be my real name, ya know…"

"Oh…why did you tell me your real name?"

Kaitou sighed and leaned his head back against the wall. "Does it matter at this point? Besides…if I die from this, I need someone to tell my mother."

"You aren't going to die."

Kaitou chuckled, then coughed. "Wishful thinking, there? I've lost a good amount of blood, already…"

Conan glared at him. "You. Aren't. Going. To. Die."

Before Kaitou could reply, the area was illuminated by a pair of headlights that belonged to a yellow Beetle.

Conan smiled in relief when Agasa got out. "Come on, Kuroba. Can you stand up again?"

"You kidding? I don't think I can move…"

Agasa rushed over to where they were. "I told Ai-kun that Araide-sensei would be coming, and to let him in if he gets there before we get back. You said he was injured? How badly?"

"Let's just get him to the house…he's passing in and out of consciousness, now, I believe." Conan glanced at Kaitou, who had a slightly glazed look in his eyes.

Agasa nodded, and knelt down. He pulled Kaitou's right arm over his shoulders, then slowly stood up.

Conan opened the door to the Beetle so they could sit him in the passenger seat. After all, Conan figured that if they let him lay down in the back they would have a problem getting him back out.

Kaitou squinted as the shapes around him swirled and changed…and then, he was seated in the car with the kid in backseat and the old man behind the wheel.

"Try to stay awake, Kuroba. Hey, are you listening?!"

Kaitou flinched. "Sorta…"

The rest of the ride back was pretty much Conan trying to keep Kaitou from passing out.

Araide didn't ask many questions, and what with the serious expression on Conan's face, didn't press for them, either. He figured it was one of those 'need to know' or 'better of not knowing' things.

Kaitou had been in bad shape when Araide arrived…despite Conan's attempts, he had fallen unconscious. Luckily, Araide said that there didn't appear to be major inflammation due to the head injury, so the teen would wake up.

The biggest problem was the amount of blood that Kaitou had lost. Though, Araide soon told them that it wasn't as bad as they had thought. A transfer would have been optimal, and would have been used in most cases, but Araide was able to work with what he had and told them, with confidence, that the blood loss wasn't large.

He had patched up and bandaged Kaitou's sprained knee and secured the boy's sprained wrist. The teen also had a bandage wrapped around his head. Araide had to use injections to get medicine into Kaitou, and used a reflex swallowing action of rubbing the throat to give the teen some fluids (water), but there was no threat to his life.

Though, he would probably be very sore the next morning, and there was a chance his fever would persist for a couple of days.

Conan felt exhausted by the time Araide left, and he had only been helping (along with Agasa) when Araide was doing the treatment.

Then again, he had also dragged a wanted thief through the sewer systems.

"Did you tell Ran-kun anything?" Agasa asked after he finally convinced Conan to take a shower and change cloths.

"Yea…I told her you called me and said you made a cool game you wanted me to try out, so I'd be staying over." Conan all but collapsed onto the unoccupied couch.

The other couch was where Kaitou was laid out, a pillow under his head and a blanket over him as he slept.

Araide had given them a list of instructions for him, as well as a prescription for antibiotics to fill out the next day. There hadn't been any signs of infection, but running through the sewers with an open wound was inviting disaster.

Conan was about to head up to take a shower, when he remembered about the piece of paper in his pocket. He pulled it out and opened it. Sure enough, it said the same thing that it had said the last time he looked.

APTX-4869

Conan ran out of the room, and nearly fell down the stairs in his hurry to get to the lab where Haibara was working.

"Haibara!" Conan knocked on the door…more like pounded.

An annoyed female greeted him when said door opened. "What? I'm only in here because I'm giving up on sleep for tonight, anyway…"

Conan held out the piece of paper. "This was what Kid had to steal tonight."

"A piece of…?" Haibara stopped when she caught sight of the formula, then the title. Her eyes widened, and she reached out with trembling hands. "Is…is this…?"

"Yea. I didn't believe it at first, either. But, Kuroba's story matches up. Do you think, with this, you can make an antidote? A permanent one?"

Haibara stared at the paper that was now in her hands. "I should be able to. It looks familiar……it's true. This is it. This is the Apotoxin…"

Conan laughed, and leaned against the wall since his legs had suddenly tried to give out on him. He ran a shaking hand through his hair. "I don't believe it…I wanted to, when I saw the title, but I still had to keep up with being skeptical…"

"Believe it, Kudou-kun. I can't guarantee an antidote overnight, but…"

"I know…I'm counting on you, Haibara."

"Now all you have to do is find them. You can't turn back to normal until then, you realize."

Conan sighed wearily. "Burst my bubble, why don't you…"

"Someone has to keep a level head around here, or everything will go to hell. Speaking of, you reek. Go take a shower before I quarantine you."

Conan got his legs working again, and threw her a small glare. "Ha, ha."

Haibara just smirked at him, then closed the door to the lab.

Conan shook his head, but there was a big grin on his face as he ran up the stairs to take a shower. Hope was on a piece of paper that had somehow ended up in his hands.

He paused at the top of the stairs to flip open his mobile to make a call. However, he didn't expect to see that two people had sent him an email message while his phone had been out of service in the sewers (and then neglected when Araide was patching up Kaitou).

Curiously, he opened the first message…and froze. It was from someone he had worked with once…someone he thought had lost his memory. Apparently, the man's memory was fine and intact…and he didn't want anyone else to know.

Save Conan.

Conan stared at the message before he finally was able to open the next one. That one surprised him, too. It hadn't been too long since Eisuke had gone to America, but he didn't truly expect anything to come from him for a while.

Thus, this second clue was unexpected yet wanted.

Conan wondered if he had built up some good karma somewhere, or things were finally starting to look up. Or maybe, fate had enough of picking on him and decided to cut him some slack.

Agasa stared at the boy that hadn't moved for the past fifteen minutes. "Shinichi?"

"I can get them, hakase…I've got clues to them, now. Combined with the boss's email address…if I can crack these codes…maybe, just maybe…"

Agasa smiled. "Really? That's great! Oh! Are you going to work with Hattori-kun on it?"

"Hah?"

"Two heads are better than one!"

Conan shook his head. "I can't get him involved…it's bad enough that he knows. But he can get hurt if…"

"I'll call him if you don't. I won't let you go into this alone, Shinichi."

"Hakase…"

Agasa stood firm. "Hattori-kun knows about it, and you've told him some information. He once went undercover to try and catch them one time. You aren't alone in this, so don't act it."

Conan sighed, then smiled. "You say intelligent things from time to time."

"Hey!"

Conan laughed, then ran up the stairs to the bathroom. "I'll go take a shower and give him a call! Hope you don't mind your house being turned into a small base!"

Agasa just chuckled as the boy ran up the stairs. It's about time…I heard they found the formula for the Apotoxin, too…that boy's been through enough.

Meanwhile, Conan closed the door to the bathroom and dialed the familiar number.

It ran a couple times before a sleepy voice picked up.

"Kudou…this had damn well better be important. Do you know what time it is…!?"

Conan snickered as he hopped on one foot to pull his sock off while he held the mobile with his other hand. "Hey, Hattori…how soon can you get to Agasa-hakase's place?"

TO BE CONTINUED…