(Detective Conan Opening 24: Mysterious, plays in the background)
(?): Hello everyone, I'll be taking over as host during this arc
(A raven lands on the ground and in a cloud of smoke, Akako Koizumi appears)
Akako: During the Mai-chan Arc I will be the host and all of you will bow before me
(?): Not so fast, there will be three hosts like before
(Aoko Nakamori walks on stage with Sonoko Suzuki by her side)
Akako: Oh my, what a strange set up we have here
Sonoko: Tell me about it, I should be the only star
Aoko: Come on you two let's be serious here, and start the show
Sonoko: Got'cha Nakamori. (Sonoko points at the crowd) Listen up, Konsu doesn't own Detective Conan or Magic Kaito or any of the characters from the show
Aoko: Please enjoy the starting act
Akako: Be warn, Lucifer foretells a dark future
- Beika Park -
- 11:35 AM -
"How has things been Edogawa-kun?"
"Ran hasn't stopped crying,"
"Do you regret it?"
"Of course, but there's not a damn thing I can do about it,"
"If you've just given me a bit more time,"
"Enough, Conan is already in her heart, if he disappears, what then, it'll be the same situation when Shinichi Kudo vanished,"
"And now Shinichi Kudo is dead,"
A cold silence follows.
"That day is tomorrow,"
"I know,"
The two were silent for another few minutes, they watching a group of kids play around the park.
"It's been four years since then,"
"Ah,"
Ai Haibara (13) stares up at the passing clouds emotionlessly. Four years, four long years had passed since that day. The day Ayumi-chan and her mother died in the fire that broke out in their apartment four years ago. According to police reports, a gas leak was the cause, and with Ayumi's mother habit of smoking, a fire breaking out because of an accident wasn't impossible.
It was an unfortunate accident, that's what the police said, that's what everyone said, and that's what everyone continues to say even till this day.
Haibara sighs softly, wishing she was a bit older so she could smoke a cigarette. How long has it been since her last smoke? Four years? Five, six, she didn't know, but now was the best time to have one. Things were slowly going downhill and she felt they'll continue to do so, and things wouldn't go up any time soon. Haibara never realized it before, but Ayumi was the light in her dark world. She knew it wasn't healthy to think so, but Ayumi strongly reminded Haibara of her sister Akemi.
The smile, the laughter, the warm and loving aura, it was all familiar to her, all so very familiar. When she was around Ayumi she felt truly happy. Since the day Ayumi died, the happiness and joy in her life was gone. Not completely, but most of it. No, that wasn't right either.
It was more like her life has become quite grey without Ayumi's presence to color it for her.
'That sounds almost right,'
"I wish I really was there age," Mumbles Conan (12) watching the children play in the park happily, not a care in the world. "Maybe it would have been better if I did have amnesia, maybe then things would have been easier for us," Conan obviously meant for he and Ran.
Over the years the two have been through much drama. Haibara could remember the last time Shinichi officially appeared before Ran. It was during a particular dangerous case a year ago. It was at one of the Suzuki's Mountain Resorts. Sonoko brought them all there for a chance to relax and in her words;
"Take your mind off all the depressing things in life, live a little, go a little wild, I don't mind, really I don't,"
Though Haibara would never admit it, the time at the resort was fun. The older girl really knew how to throw a party for her friends. She even took her preferences to mind. The part wasn't large, like one of the usual ones the girl would throw. This one was quite small and only a few people outside Sonoko's inner circle were allowed to attend. The people weren't close with Sonoko, but they were a few sons, daughters, and a few of their friends, of her parent's friends.
For awhile everything was great. Mitsuhiko and Genta were off playing with kids their age, two of which still hangs around them till this day. Ran and Sonoko were enjoying a good time, guys flocking them from every direction. Conan was watching in jealousy, trying his best to hide it while drinking a soda. Kogoro was off drinking at a table with his wife Eri. Heji and Kazuha were watching Ran and Sonoko in amusement as they reject the guys one by one, which one very persistent guy was knocked out by Ran.
Yeah, everything was great until some fool said something about resorts all over the country were being burnt to the ground, after everyone staying at the resorts or cottages were killed.
Unsurprisingly the mood grew sober quickly because of the careless comment. No one knew what to expect, and no one wanted to party after the jackass's comment. So everyone (something Sonoko was very peeved about), went to sleep for the night. At midnight disaster struck, and Sonoko was found terribly beaten, burning alive in storage shack next to the cottage.
"Haibara, let's go,"
Conan's words snap Haibara out of the terrible memory, and grunts in acknowledgement.
"Where are we going again?"
"To some magic show remember, the adults thought it would be a good idea to ease our minds or some nonsense like that,"
Haibara sighs knowing all too well why the adults, meaning; Kogoro, Sato, Takagi, Shiratori, Megure, and Kobayashi prepared the trip. It was to take their mind off the depressing things for awhile. Ironically, they chose a magic show, which was the only special event taking place in Beika City.
What a perfect way to calm them before they all meet at Ayumi's and her mother's grave tomorrow.
The two make their way out the park, when they suddenly heard crying.
"My balloon," Wails a small boy. "Mommy my balloon," The boy points to the red balloon stuck between branches high in the tree.
Haibara smirks seeing the twitch going through Conan's eye.
"Should the little monkey go help the boy?"
Conan went to respond, when he saw a girl around their age wearing a black cap, staring at the crying kid, then the balloon, and back at the kid once more. The girl's hand shoot out, and bops the kid lightly on the head.
"No crying now, this neesan will get your balloon,"
The girl grins and spreads out her arms, her fingers making strange motions, which reminds Haibara of the hands of perverts before they grope some girl. Instead of climbing the tree by wrapping her arms around the trunk, the girl removes the strap on her book bag, and swings it around the trunk instead. The girl pulls on the strap, testing its strength and smiles. Placing her foot on the tree, she slowly and steadily scales the tree.
"Wow," Whispers Haibara. "A Mountain Girl, that's one for the books," Conan laughs dryly, thinking Haibara's been watching too much television and spending too much time on the internet.
The girl climbs higher and higher. Sweat slides down her nose; this method of climbing was taking a lot out of her. The balloon was close and the girl glances down at the sniffling boy, smiling brightly.
"Almost there, hold on a little longer,"
Reaching for the branch just mere inches from her hand, the girl's grip on the belt loosens, and she slips.
'Shit,'
The people below gasps watching the girl fall, but to their utter amazement, the girl didn't fall; in fact, she was standing perfectly on the tree.
"That's...impossible,"
Haibara stares at the pale girl, she panting heavily. Relief was seen clearly on the girl's face, she wearing a wide grin.
"Wow, that was scary," The girl wipes the sweat from her face. "Now to grab that troublesome balloon," Lifting one foot, she takes a step forward, followed by another, and then another. The girl was at the branch once more, much to her satisfaction, because was very tired. Grabbing the branch, she pulls, and her feet removes from the tree, a bit of bark ripping off the trunk once she was free.
Down below, Conan tilts his head to the side seeing a shine at the sole of the girl's shoe, it shining from the sunlight.
"What is that?" He whispers.
The girl sits on the tree branch, holding the red balloon, looking very thoughtful.
'How should I get down? There's the normal way or the flashy way and then there's the way of the magician and the way of the human, oh so many choices,'
The answer came from below, a shout familiar in her ears.
"Mai, what are you doing, we're going to be late,"
"Sorry Kaito-nii, I'll be right down,"
Mai (12) grins at the glare Kaito Kuroba (22) was giving her. Scratching her cheek, Mai flashes him an impish smile and stands. Taking a deep breath, Mai shouts out to the people below.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Shouts Mai in English. "I, the Great Mai-chan shall show you a type of magic only thought to be in myths," Mai points to the formerly crying boy. "I shall show you what it's like to receive a touch from an angel descending from grace," The loud and boisterous tone of Mai's voice drops to a low and cool level. The girl's eyelids drop and at that moment, the clouds overhead covers the sun, shadowing Mai's face in a way that gave her a mysterious appearance.
Kaito laughs, the timing was all right.
"Are you ready my little charge?" Whispers Mai softly, her voice soft like snow. "This angel shall now descend upon you and return what was taken by the heavenly wind,"
The clouds depart and Mai leaps off the branch. Slowly she descends to ground, one hand in her pocket, the other holding the balloon. The little boy's eyes shine in delight, not believing this was happening. To him, the girl was really an angel descending from heaven to deliver his balloon especially to him. Blood rushes to his face seeing Mai's angelic smile.
It was love at first sight
Mai feet light taps the ground as she lands. Bending down slightly, she smiles gently at the boy. "This is for you," Mai hands him the balloon. "This angel have a few words of advice for you," Mai ties the balloon string gently, yet tightly around the boy's wrist. "A balloon won't fly away if you keep it on a tight leash, that's number one," Mai ruffles the boy's hair. "Boy's shouldn't show their tears so easily, that's number two," Mai glances at her brother who was slowly approaching from behind. "And finally three," Mai grins brightly at the boy.
"When in trouble, smile and analyze, smile and comprehend, smile and act,"
The boy's mother walks up, smiling gratefully at Mai.
"Thank you very much,"
Mai waves it off grinning like an idiot.
"No problem," Kaito rests his hand on Mai's shoulder. "The boy needed help and I was glad to give it," Mai's gives the woman a cheeky grin. "Besides, I got a chance to stand out today, so I'm happy," Mai's golden brown eyes shine in delight. "And when I do that, I'm at my happiest,"
The mother and child blinks owlishly at the giggling girl, the same thought running through their minds.
'She's strange,'
"Thank you again, but we must take our leave," The mother bows to Mai and Kaito and walks off with her son. The boy turns back to Mai and waves happily at her. "Thank you neesan," Mai waves back, her wide grin dropping to a line.
For five long minutes Mai stood silent, her blank face slowly morphing to a scowl. Kaito chuckles at the girl's scowl, he finding it amusing that the small girl refuses to ask for help, even in situations such as this.
"Need help?"
Mai blows out a bit of air in annoyance, and answers lowly.
"Yes, dear brother,"
Kaito's chuckles grow a tad louder at the girl's pouty glare. Bringing his hand to the air, he grabs hold of the ten invisible wires and pulls. To those watching it looks as if the man was struggling to pull on air, making it a very comical sight.
Conan and Haibara watches for a few seconds longer, shrugs, and then walks away, no longer finding the two interesting, more annoying than interesting. After walking in silence for nearly five minutes, Haibara decides to crack a joke.
"That was a nice prelude to the show,"
Conan stares at Haibara for a long moment, wondering what she meant, but decides to play along.
"It was, but the main event shall be even better,"
The two head off, their spirits high, ready to sit through what they believe to be a boring magic show, but was in fact going to be a show the two would never forget.
XxXxXxXxXx
- Suzuki Theatre -
- 11:45 AM -
A black Porsche 356A drives by the theatre where the famous magician, Kaito Kuroba will be performing later tonight. The smoking driver casts a glance at the theatre, his smirk cold and murderous.
"The main show shall be interesting,"
Gin casts the two smoking women in the backseat a cold withering glare.
"Perform magnificently Vermouth, Kir; you two are the real stars tonight,"
Having been silent for the past four years, the Black Organization is back, and their eyes set on the Kaito Kuroba's Magic Show. Darkness looms over the Suzuki Theatre, the Black Crows are taking flight, and their black wings will cover everything in their shadows.
Which of these majestic birds will perform magnificently tonight, the beautiful dove or the terrifying crow? Will it be the bird of white which can be dyed red or the bird of black that can cover everything in its eternal darkness?
Let the show begin
Akako: Lucifer predicts overwhelming darkness
Sonoko: Sonoko predicts...wait...why did I get beaten and burnt in a fire?
Aoko: I wonder if you survived
Sonoko: Don't joke like that, I need to live
Akako: This is the only the first part of the Mai-chan Arc
Aoko: There's more to come
Sonoko: I hope everyone will be alright
Akako: Lucifer says the future is clouded in darkness
(The curtain closes ending the chapter)
