Hey guys! I'm going out of town this weekend, and thought I'd update early. This chapter may confuse some people, so review or PM me with any questions. Secondly, please address whatever plot points I either left from the previous story or if you're even curious about. I love batting theories and ideas around, it's fun.
Lastly, there was a request from someone named Matt that I write an additional sequel to this one, but mainly focusing on Conan going into a different world (not One Piece) and doing something like this, or something different. He suggested several anime to cross it over, and after thinking about it, here's what I've decided: not right now.
In all honesty, it's way too early to be thinking about a third story; I'm still too stoked for this one. So if it does happen, it isn't going to be for awhile, and to be honest, it's not going to be any of the anime that Matt suggested. Not because I don't like any of them, but because I just don't think Case Closed could be crossed-over with them very well.
So anyways, without further ado: read, enjoy, review!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece or Case Closed
With this, I'm sure you'll find the job interesting, and rest assured you will be paid generously. Are you still interested, Fujiko Mine?" An older gentleman was sitting on a posh couch, with a coffee table in between the other couch, with the attractive brunette. He had several suited men with guns beside him, while she had a samurai beside her. "I trust that your other associates would be interested?" He gestured to the samurai.
"I believe my leader would be interested, but I'm sure Mine-san will take up the offer before he does. I only came as a bodyguard, not as a business representative." The samurai man stood up. "Is there anything else?"
"No, that's it. Let me know, would you Mine-san?" He smirked at the attractive woman, who was still looking over the documents he handed her.
"I will, thank you." She smiled and stood up as well. "I apologize, but Goemonn-san and I must be going, other clients await us."
"Of course, have a nice day." The man nodded.
"I will, thank you." As soon as Fujiko and Ishiwaka left the room, they immediately headed towards the exit of this suffocating mansion, neither felt good about this place. They quickly got on their motorcycle and drove away. After the samurai was sure they weren't being followed, he turned to the woman with a frown.
"You aren't actually going to do this job, are you?" He asked.
"Lupin and I are both in the business of thieves, he knows as well as I do it's all about the end-profit." She shrugged.
"You worked with this kid before, and you know he just suffered some sort of trauma. Lupin may be infatuated with you, but…he does have a soft spot for kids, he won't let you do as you please here, Fujiko." Ishikawa warned.
"I know, he'll most likely offer me a different deal to counter that man's to prevent us from being at conflict with each other. So really, I don't see what difference it makes." Fujiko replied. "Besides…Kudo isn't really a child, Lupin knows this right?"
"Wrong, he considers anyone who chases him a kid. He is especially fond of Kudo because of his battle with this organization, especially with that. Besides…do you really want to kick someone when they're down, Fujiko-san?" The samurai asked.
"Of course not, which is why this job isn't worth considering. I'm paid to steal artifacts, not hack computers, if they want to insult my skill, then they need to pay triple this amount." She smirked. "Besides…I've got another job awaiting me with the Japanese government, I think it's only economically appropriate that we car pool."
"I see. Perhaps we should give that police chief in Tokyo a call, Lupin would probably love to talk to him again."
XXXXXXXX
Vivian and Booker Kudo had seen better days. Vivian had taken to staying home since she took her leave of absence from the acting business, only to wish she was right back on the job. She took her break after her son disappeared, and she watched anxiously as her husband combined his brain with Hattori's and Suguru, only to see it fail along with the entire case. After a week of theories and failed conclusions, everyone honestly thought their son was dead. A mother's absolute worst fear, and fear brings out the worst in people.
The great Booker Kudo, the world's greatest detective after Sherlock Holmes, couldn't locate his only son; it was only natural that the frantic mother of the missing child would be resentful towards him, it didn't help that it was his wife. Vivian Kudo had honestly refused to wear makeup the whole time, she wanted her son to recognize her when he was found. She was furious at her husband for not being able to find their son, and her fury increased further when they found him in the condition he was in.
When she, her husband, Rachel, Richard, Agasa, Serena, Hattori, and Kazuha went to the island to retrieve Conan, there were many hugs and kisses. Tears of joy were shed; and Rachel had honestly cried her heart out as she hugged the little boy. Vivian had her share of hugging him, and was reluctant to let him go. But when they tried to coax him onto the boat, something happened- Jimmy froze, he collapsed to his knees, and suddenly started vomited.
That man, Sabo, was quick to react, and quickly made the boy lay on his side. To make things worse, her son had started shaking very badly, and had curled into a fetal position. As much as they all didn't like it, they allowed Sabo to come to mainland Japan, because he was the only one who knew how to coax Jimmy onto the boat. Her son spent the entire time crying in Rachel's lap, and Sabo had to sit awkwardly beside them, trying to be as respectful as possible.
Seeing her son like that made all her worst fears come to possible realities. Just kind of torture did her son go through? He was so helpless in his childhood form, so anything could've happened to him. Vivian and Booker's worries were little soothed think all when the medical examiner confirmed extreme physical torture had occurred, but nothing beyond that. He also explained, that it was most likely that their son had been traumatized aboard a boat of some kind. Vivian remembered almost vomiting when she saw that horrid burn scar. Booker was certain that Sabo had something to do with it, but once again, failed to make him out as the accurate suspect.
Vivian didn't blame her husband's suspicions, they were terrified for their son, and wanted answers as to what happened to him, but it was apparent that Sabo wasn't the one who tortured him, otherwise Jimmy wouldn't be so clingy with him. But with their lack of other suspects, the only other person was that Black Organization member, Gin as the suspect, but intelligence confirmed that he had gone missing around the same time as her son. So her husband, as well as the rest of the detectives were stumped completely. Just what was going on? They didn't know, but they did know that Sabo knew, and that he was the key to finding the culprits who did this to their son.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Sighing, she got up from the couch and went to answer the door. To her surprise, it was a friend that she hadn't spoken to in awhile.
"Sharon?" Vivian asked, visibly shocked.
"Vivian! Darling! How are you?!" Sharon Vineyard gave her best friend a huge hug, before patting her shoulders. "I heard you were cooped up for several weeks, and thought I might prevent you from becoming a shut-in!"
"Sharon…you're alive…" Vivian remembered her son's deduction, and quickly searched her jean pocket for her Swedish mini revolver. "But I thought…"
"I was dead? Yes, my agent insisted on pretending I was dead so the fans would buy more of merchandise, you remember the business. Besides, it was time for my retirement, wouldn't you agree?" Her friend smiled.
"You…could've at least called." Vivian replied.
"I know…I'm sorry…but business is business. Now come on!" She walked towards the other woman again. "Let's take you out, a couple of girls for a night on the town-"
CLICK!
"Don't come near me!" Vivian normally would be much cooler headed, but she hadn't slept or ate much since her son left and reappeared, and the fact that he was still with the Moore's didn't help her situation. She just remembered something else! Gin was also missing! Sharon might have answers! Vivian glared vehemently as she kept her gun raised. "I don't know who the hell you are, whether your name is Sharon, Chris, Candidate Masaba, or Vermouth, or whatever alias you go by! I want answers!"
"Vivian…" Vermouth sighed, and decided to drop the disguise. "Please calm down…I came here alone, and I am not here to hurt you."
"You honestly expect me to believe that?! After the lies you told me?! After what my son has been put through?!" The enraged woman demanded.
"No, I don't expect you to believe me, but it is the truth. I came here as a friend to warn you." She informed.
"Warn me?" Vivian repeated.
"Yes, there will be major changes that will occur in Japan soon and I think it would be best that you and your husband go into hiding. With your son finally having returned, you have no reason to stay in Japan, and given your husband's occupation, you are sure to be a prime target." She explained.
"What are you…?" The vibrant woman was just more confused.
"I don't have much time, and I only came to warn you as a friend. Get out of Japan with your family and friends now, and don't look back. I would hate to see one of the few people I consider a friend, die." Vermouth sighed and turned around. "That's all I have to say, take heed of my warning or not, but I can sleep easy now, knowing that I at least gave you fair warning."
As Vermouth was about to leave the premise, she was stopped by Vivian's quaking voice. "Do you…?"
"Do I what?" Vermouth turned around. Vivian was trembling, and tears were streaming down her face as she slowly lowered her weapon.
"Do you truly consider me a friend, at least by some definition?" The retired actress asked.
"Yes, I do." Vermouth answered easily.
"Then tell me, how did you know my son was missing?" Vivian asked.
"You know as well as I do, your son has been all over the news. He may be under a different name, but his disappearance and recovery have both been documented, even if I didn't have an agent, all I would have to do is turn on the TV to local news." She shrugged. "But I get the feeling that isn't what you want to ask me."
"No it's not, and I get the feeling that you came here with more than the intention of warning me to leave." Vivian countered.
"No, I came here with the intention of getting you drunk to lay the answers you want regarding your son gently. You always did take bad news better with a chocolate Kahlua." Vermouth shrugged. "I wasn't going to abduct you, I was just hoping to make it easier on myself."
"Why bother answering my questions to begin with? Why give me this kind of closure?" She demanded.
"Because I know how much you love your son, and I know how much this is hurting you and your husband. I am your enemy, but I am also a woman who happens to be fond of you, and I don't think it would hurt to give you some closure. Though I can't guarantee on how much you'll believe me." To be honest, the Black Organization agent doubted her ex-friend would believe her at all, but it was worth a shot.
"Just tell me: one of your other members, Gin-san…he was also missing and at around the same time as my son." She figured.
"He went to the same place as your son about a week later, but he came back in the same condition as Kudo-kun certainly." Vermouth sighed, remembering her lover's condition. "He's grown even more paranoid than he was before, he'll shoot at around objects, and it's gotten to the point where no one can approach his office after dark. He doesn't even allow me to stay over anymore, as hard as that it is to believe."
"Sharon…I don't care who you really are, or what your occupation is. Just tell me…what the hell happened to my son?! Who did this to him?!" The angry mother demanded.
Sighing, Vermouth sat down on the couch, and noticed the open bottle of wine of the table. She poured herself a glass, using Vivian's cup and took a sip. "Where to begin…?"
XXXXXX
Kazuha Tomoya sat beside her friend, Rachel and observed her friend in worry. "Rachel…you should sleep, you haven't been sleeping in days, have you?"
"No…I'm fine, I have to make dinner after all!" She was trying to finish up her English homework before five, and they just got out of school. Kazuha received some time off to help assist Heiji with the case, and honestly was quite troubled by what she observed so far. "That reminds me, I need to call the school to make sure Conan actually showed up, because he's-"
"Rachel!" Kazuah stood up and gave a firm smile. "I'll make dinner, don't worry about it. After all, Heiji and Conan are two bums that don't deserve your good cooking."
"Kazuha-chan…thank you!" Rachel smiled and got back to her work. "That's a big help, thanks!"
"No problem, anything to help out a friend." The ponytail-girl went into the kitchen to start taking out pots, pans, and whatever else she needed to start. "So other than homework, anything else going on with your school life?"
"Not much, but that reminds me though…" Rachel took out her phone and started texting. "I…haven't heard from Serena. She didn't come to school today, and she hasn't called me back."
"That's weird, when did you last hear from her?" Kazuha asked.
"Not since last night, her uncle called her out on a family emergency. I'll text Makoto-san to see if he's heard from her." She explained.
"Makoto-san?" Kazuha repeated.
"Ah. Her boyfriend, she started dating him from one of my karate tournaments." Rachel explained.
"Really! How romantic!" The other girl squealed. "He got a last name?"
"Ah. Makoto Kyogoku." She answered, still looking at her phone as she sent the message.
"Kyogoku…" Kazuha frowned, trying to remember the name. "Ah! He was in the regional karate finals last year! Your best friend is dating your rival, Rachel-chan!"
"It's not a big deal, besides…he's very kind and he makes her happy." Rachel insisted, and smiled when she received a text back, only to have horror strike her face.
"Rachel?" Kazuha frowned.
"She…broke up with him…Serena broke up with him." Rachel let her tears slip out, now another one of her friends was falling apart. Damn it! Why was this happening?!
XXXXXX
Booker Kudo stared at James Black and his associates Andre Camel and Jodie Starling, feeling even more reluctance than ever upon meeting them. "I'm not sure if this is a good idea." Booker finally admitted.
"Right now, I have Hondo's kids and their associates trailing the western part of Tokyo, while we're going to cover the east. And given the circumstances Mr. Kudo, I would've thought you'd be more anxious to direct this liaison." Black observed the man in question.
"It's not that I don't want you to interrogate him, so much as I am curious as to why you are choosing now." The younger man replied.
"With the recent activity the Black Organization has done, as well as the proven Yakuza connections, we have deduced that this happened approximately when your son came back. Furthermore, we also suspect that caused the Black Organization to make a huge shift in their behavior, but we haven't been able to confirm why." Black explained.
"Sabo-san mentioned my son was trying to fight a man named Gin off in his sleep." Booker narrowed his eyes. "He is a prominent member of the Black Organization, and I have already brought up this connection, it was you idiots that refused to take the connection seriously."
"Calm down, Kudo-san…I admit that the litigation process took awhile, but try to understand that the United States is in a rather big pickle, and we need to prioritize our jobs." The head FBI agent explained. "If I hadn't taken my time to explain to the president in what was going on, then this investigation would've been stone-walled for us, and they would've stranded us here to die. It wasn't anything personal, please understand."
"I'll understand when you start treating my son as a priority. Even in the form he's trapped in, he's gathered more intelligence than you or any of your agents combined ever could." Booker scoffed. "But enough, so you agree with me then, that Sabo-san has some connection with the Black Organization?"
"It is likely. Considering that he was the one who found your son, but could not provide an explanation for how he lived on the island himself, it is highly possible. And despite his isolation, he is well-versed in math and is highly literate, indicating he had some previous education before he lived on that island. What's more curious is that he didn't have a boat, but he managed to build quite a fine shelter for himself. So I agree with you that he is very fishy, but we are not ready to connect him with the Black Organization." Black explained.
"We do, however, believe that he has knowledge of what happened to your son, and we most certainly believe that he knows who tortured him." Starling added.
"With that, we're prepared and willing to help find him." Camel finished. "If we're done here, I propose we go find him before he decides to leave early. To our understanding, the Sebastian family provided him a small sum of money and a sailboat for his travels. So finding him is urgent, don't you agree?"
Booker nodded and clenched his fists. "Let's go."
XXXXX
Richard Moore was bored, and briefly wondered how the hell he got dragged into this. Due to his depressed state, his daughter and her school friend decided to kick him out of the apartment; apparently his atmosphere brought everyone down around him. But he would've rather have been passed out on the couch than the position he was in now.
"Pretty lucky we ran into you, huh Detective Moore?" A small voice asked him.
"Yeah, yeah…don't rub it in." He sighed. That's right, somehow he got dragged into walking the Junior Detective Agency to their respective homes, but instead of it being that easy, they were out looking for a new mystery to cheer up Conan. Honestly, as soon as that brat left and came back, he hadn't been able to solve a single case right without that damn Hattori-brat's help. But even he had to admit he was worried sick for the kid, sure he was an annoying brat, but…he was good company, and he hated to think something bad happened when he was missing.
"Conan-kun's been pretty down lately, he didn't come to school again." Amy looked down in sadness.
"Don't worry! You know Conan, he'll perk right up once he sees a case!" Mitch insisted.
"Yeah! And if he continues to skip school, we'll drag him out!" George reassured.
"But it's not just him, Anita-chan hasn't been coming to school either." The little girl pointed out.
"That kid just spreads cheer wherever he goes, doesn't he?" Detective Moore said sarcastically, but then saw something ahead of him and frowned. He stopped abruptly, and put a hand out to stop those three kids, which caused them to look as well. "Isn't that your other friend that you were talking about?"
Amy's eyes widened in recognition. "Anita-cha-" Detective Moore clamped his hand over her mouth and quickly moved the kids behind some bushes.
"What'd you do that Detective Moore?!" George demanded.
"Yeah! You almost hurt us!" Mitch added.
"Shhh! Look who she's with!" He pointed to the blonde in the tophat beside their friend. While he was finishing a crepe with a solemn expression, Anita seemed to have a look of pure shock and rage. Narrowing his eyes, he looked down at them. "Let's move closer."
Meanwhile, the conversation really was what it looked liked- after hearing the whole story, Haibara couldn't believe one bit of it. "So let me get this straight…you are saying that Kudo not only went to another world, but he also helped save it. And apparently, the Black Organization established contact with this world, which is apparently your home world, about a year prior to all this. And currently, Kudo is suffering from PTSD courtesy of a famous pirate named Blackbeard, who tortured him and several other people for the hell of it?"
"That's pretty much it, yeah." Sabo sighed, knowing this was not going to end well. "He's currently trying to work up the nerve to ask Agasa-san to send me back to my world through some kind of device or another. That's about it…I'm assuming you don't believe me, Haibara-san."
To his surprise, the little girl started laughing. "Well I have to say Sabo-san…I wasn't expecting that. I have heard pretty farfetched stories in my time, hell I've been in situations where no one would ever believe. Like Kudo, I was forced to change my name and age to protect my identity from the Black Organization, and I find it impressive that you managed to brainwash someone like him so deeply. Do you want to know what my original name was Sabo-san?"
"Haibara-san…"
"It was Shiho Miayno, I betrayed those damned bastards after they killed my sister. I took the same drug they had forced down Kudo, in hopes that it would kill me. But instead of suicide, I ended up reverting in age to the form I am now. Kudo foolishly pursued Gin-san and Bourbon-san upon a superficial investigation at best, and they knocked him out and forced him to ingest that pill, taking his life and exchanging it for Conan Edogawa." She laughed sadistically. "And here I thought mine and Kudo's situations were unbelievable, yet your story certainly takes the cake!"
"I don't expect you to believe me, which was why I tried to convince Kudo-san to tell the story himself." Sabo explained. "But it seems as though it was too late. Would it have honestly made any difference, Haibara-san, in terms of who you heard it from?"
"It's obvious that you brainwashed him, you son of a-"
RUSTLE!
Both Haibara and Sabo froze when several people came tumbling out of the bush. Though Sabo only recognized Detective Moore, he could tell by the little blonde girl's expression that the three little ones weren't meant to hear their conversation either. He frowned, this universe really made his senses dull.
"You guys…" Haibara reached out a hand hesitantly, her eyes were wide.
"Anita-chan…you…are you really…?" Amy sank to her knees, and hid her face. The two boys bore similar looks of uncertainty, but hid the girl behind them.
"Haibara…" Mitch spoke.
"Who are you…really?" George finished. "Is what you said…true?"
"You guys need to understand-"
"UNDERSTAND WHAT?!" Detective Moore snapped and stalked up to the little girl, picking her up by the collar. "Tell me what there is to understand, you lying little-"
POINT!
"That's enough, Detective Moore." Though the sword-cane was sheathed, Sabo meant just as much business pointing it at the angry man. "I know this is difficult to take in, but harming Haibara-san won't help, so please…"
"Why you-" Detective Moore dropped Anita and was about to throw a punch at Sabo.
"HEY STOP!" Moore froze and saw Booker and several people he didn't know approach with him. Booker forced his friend to lower his fist down. "Richard, what's going on? What are you doing?"
"Did you know…?" The dim detective muttered, trembling.
"Know what?" Booker asked, blinking in confusion.
"Your son…did you know that he was that little brat living with me and my daughter?" Richard bit out each word.
Booker allowed shock to overcome his face, as well as the FBI agents with him. "How…" He turned to Sabo. "You bastard! What did you tell him?!"
"It wasn't him, it was her!" George pointed to Haibara, who was on her knees at this point.
Her eyes were wide and she was clutching her head. As though a final plea, she whispered: "What have I done…?"
Review please! I know, I know- I broke a golden rule in Case Closed- Conan's identity was revealed. There are several reasons behind why I'm doing this, and sticking to it. For one thing, this is going to be an extreme suspense and thriller story later on, so the envolpe needed to be pushed. Not to mention, there was no way they weren't going to realistically discover Conan's identity in this story anyways. Secondly, Conan is going to be pushed even further than he had been in my original story, and I'm honestly looking forward to challenging him further.
Lastly, the point of this story was to help Conan move forward, which is what I plan to do. I hope you all like this chapter, and you are all free to PM or review me with any comments, concerns, or questions. Till next week!
