With the exception of the plot and the original characters that are depicted in the story, the author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended on the franchise of Detective Conan or The Phantom of the Opera that rightfully belong to its owner Aoyama Gosho and Gaston Leroux, respectfully. Furthermore, I do not have any claim on the historical information that is depicted in this segment of the story. If there is need for corrections, please let me know.

I'd like to thank OnyxKatana once again for her help as well as Vivian Graythorn for her fantastic ideas that are featured in the tenth act of Paper Faces! I could not have done it without either of them. Please enjoy the show! :)

When he realized that he was in fact in love with his classmate, Kaito knew that KID's next heist had to be the best since his official return to the public eye almost three years ago. He had no idea how much time it would take to plan everything down to the last letter in between school and other responsibilities as a civilian. But even though this performance was an attempt to attract Shin-chan's attention it also served an ulterior purpose: indirectly asking the Detective of the East to locate his missing critic. KID did not know what the price would be to search for a child who is supposedly fine (at least according to what Haibara-san said), but the Phantom Thief was willing to do anything so as to assure himself that Edogawa Agatha was not in any trouble whatsoever.

With the first week of June starting in the next three to four weeks, Kaito decided to spend the break in between finalizing his portion of the World History project and doing online research for a gem that was large enough to fit another one inside of it. Around eleven o'clock on Sunday evening, he got a hit. On June 28th, a theater troupe would arrive in Ekoda to perform Paper Faces, a modernized version of Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera. During one scene the leading lady would receive the world's largest opal, nicknamed the Rainbow Maiden for its rich palette of colors and light-refracting qualities, in the shape of a beautifully handcrafted mask. According to a legend that is detailed in the play, including citing a few actual historical references from Europe, the Rainbow Maiden has the innate ability to bringing two unlikely, and seemingly incompatible people, together in a harmonious bond.

Kaito wrinkled his nose as he stared at the glaring screen and continued typing away. That was definitely something he could use later but as for where the play was going to be performed...Eh? Well, what do you know! It will be at the performing arts center where the Green Dream heist took place! And who knows? Maybe Furuhata Megumi will be there on the opening night!

A sly grin curled around the corners of his mouth. He had a target, a location, and a time. All that KID needed to do now was send a riddle to his beloved task force, and include an exclusive request to have Kudo Shinichi attend the show with access to a front-row seat or there would be...unpleasant consequences.

Satisfied with what he had accomplished so far, Kuroba Kaito shut off the laptop and went to bed early. After all, the next few weeks were about to become jam-packed with planning and reconfiguring areas to be littered with traps and glitter bombs (Jii would be helping of course, couldn't dare let him miss out on all of the fun!) once he and Shin-chan finished the presentation of their project on next week.

Once he had finished all of his assignments, including the joint World History project, Kuroba Kaito began planning KID's next performance as soon as he came home on Monday evening. The workload separated the class prankster from any quality time with his dear Shin-chan, yet he knew that everything in the end would pay off on the evening of the heist for two reasons: 1) Lady Luck hasn't failed him yet and 2) he needed the sleuth to locate his little critic before he was going to lose his mind. Quite the conundrum, wasn't it? He wanted to be near Shinichi, yet he could not afford to let her discover so early in this game of cat-and-mouse.

On the opening night of Paper Faces, it went as smooth as it possibly could with the presence of two teen detectives. KID would have liked to enjoy the performance a little longer than necessary in his disguise as a security guard up near the orchestra pit, but it was his turn to shine on the stage and steal the Rainbow Maiden from its leading lady. When he stood on the stage, he stared at his audience with a shark-like grin.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!"

"IT'S KID! AFTER HIM!"

Formally-dressed occupants were stunned into silence at the sudden appearance of the infamous Phantom Thief, while everything else around them became chaos. Once he made his escape with the spoils via a handful of smoke pellets and two glitter bombs, KID turned to an old friend that had been beside him since the very beginning - the rooftop. It wasn't the one that introduced him and Edogawa Agatha, but it was pretty close for the moment. And it was the only place that could provide him a quick escape, should the need to do so arise.

His azure orbs stared down at the glittering buildings beneath him and then at the dark sky that seemed to stretch for miles and miles. He had spent almost three years searching for Pandora and the culprits responsible for his father's murder. KID knew that Snake was one of these people, but he couldn't make any moves to investigate him or his associates, lest it endangers his civilian identity and the people he cares about.

Once Pandora had been found and either destroyed or hidden, then KID could afford to 'drop a few hints', so to speak, about the Organization to the police department. Until then, the less people who got involved in this mess, the better things would be.

Just when these thoughts were about to cloud his mind even further and - dare he say it - distract him for a brief moment, his sharp hearing caught the sound of a door opening. Inhaling a deep breath, KID's Poker Face instantly appeared and turned to the source of the noise. There, standing less than a hundred feet away in a peacock-blue dress and black ballet flats was Kudo Shinichi. While the Kaito in him rejoiced, KID merely curved his lips into the smirk he was known for. Dropping into a gentleman-like bow, he drawled out a greeting in his charming baritone voice.

"Why, if it isn't the Detective of the East! And here I was worried that my dear inspector wouldn't let you in after that last fiasco with the King's Favorite. I even sent out a special request for you to attend tonight's play! Speaking of which, I do hope you enjoyed the show."

True to her nature, Shinichi stared down the Moonlight Magician without so much as a flicker in her determined gaze. "Which show are you referring to, KID? Paper Faces, or the performance you're putting on right now?"

KID smiled. "Both~! I'll have you know that I have put in a 'lot' of time and mischief into planning this little rendezvous". Reaching inside his cape, the Phantom Thief pulled out the Rainbow Maiden. He nearly smirked as the detective's body tensed slightly at the priceless artifact in his grasp. The Phantom Thief held it up in towards the full moon for a split second, and then in front of his face. Yet despite his playful facade behind the jewel-encrusted mask, there was a frown of disappointment. Tonight's target is not the one he is looking for. Still…

"Neh, do you know the legend behind the Rainbow Maiden, my dear sleuth~?"

"Enlighten me."

"Well, apart from the obvious beauty of the gem, it is rumoured to have a certain… ability, so to speak. It is claimed by some historians that The Rainbow Maiden has united two unlikely, and dare I say it, people with contradicting personalities in a lovely and harmonious relationship! A true ideal for believers of true love between opposites~! Even in tonight's performance, the hero offered this treasure as a wedding present to a woman who captured his heart. Isn't that romantic, detective?"

Shinichi raised an eyebrow at the white-clad gentleman and stretched out a palm out to him. "Wonderful story, but with very little evidence to back it up except the minor historical references mentioned in the pamphlet. I would like the Rainbow Maiden back, KID, and I'm not leaving without it."

"Oh~? Then do you accept it as a promise of love between us?" KID asked slyly. "If so, then maybe I'll make an exception to steal this gem~! Or should I keep things simple with a bouquet of larkspur and camellia flowers, accompanied with a dance under the moonlight~?"

Shinichi flushed a brilliant shade of red at his words. The Detective of the East could now see what Momoi-san meant when she said that KID was as an incorrigible flirt, but a very good-looking flirt. Almost similar to a certain messy-haired classmate who suddenly appeared in her thoughts at the moment. Shaking her head, Shinichi inhaled a deep breath to calm herself down. Damn it all, Kaito! I don't know who's more infuriating, you or KID! Yet once she regained her composure, the coffee-haired teen leveled the Phantom Thief with a blank stare that could have scared grown men who were much more intimidating.

"Not very amusing, KID. I already have enough people to deal with. Now, if you please, return the gem."

But the monocle-wearing deviant was only half listening to the sleuth's demand. His sharp hearing caught another sound within their vicinity; it seemed like it was coming from within the building, though it barely resembled the blundering footsteps of Inspector Nakamori nor his task force. They were soft, confident, and cautious, terrifyingly akin to a predator stalking his prey. The magician had a very good idea who exactly it was due to noticing some men wearing black trenchcoats and fedoras in the theater earlier. Keeping his Poker Face intact, even with the Rainbow Maiden still on his face, Kaito decided to keep up the light-hearted bantering so as to not spook Shin-chan.

"Well, you're no fun~! I would have to continue this conversation but it seems that an uninvited guest has arrived. However...I will send you another invitation soon, Detective of the East. But this time, it will be as...a client."

"Client? What are you talking about?!"

Azure orbs peered through the slanted holes in the mask, making contact with slightly widened sapphire-colored ones that seemed to glow in the moonlight. "To find the ten-year-old KID Killer and my dearly beloved critic, Edogawa Agatha." The Phantom Thief explained, watching Shinichi's face turn bone-white and her petite frame freeze in place.

"W-what do you mean? W-why do you want me to find the K-KID Killer?"

But KID had scarcely opened his mouth to reply when his ears caught the slow footsteps suddenly became a fast tempo, ramping up the stairs and towards...the door?! The tuxedo-wearing criminal swore under his breath. Damn it. I was so close! I need to get Shinichi away from here! Snake and the others can't know about her!

Making a split decision, he sprinted over to the shell-shocked detective and grabbed her wrist. Pulling Shinichi across the rooftop, he guided them over to the tank and shoved her behind it. He locked eyes with his female companion, and hissed out a command in a voice that left no argument. "Listen to me very carefully, Kudo Shinichi. No matter what happens or what you hear, don't come out. This is not your place to get involved with. Understand?" Once he received a shaky reply from the young woman who still wore her deer-in-the-headlights expression, he sprinted back to the other side of the roof. Finding a spot where he had a clear view of both the door to the roof and the water tank, KID stood his ground. Pulling out his card gun and a few smoke bombs, the Phantom Thief leveled his gaze onto the only entrance to the rooftop.

Azure eyes narrowed as the door slammed open, revealing four men in black with a familiar face leading them. Snake sneered as he raised a sliver gun at KID. "I told you to stay from large jewels, though it seems like you never get the message. So I'll make this little reunion short and to the point: We've tolerated your bullshit long enough. It's time to step down from the stage and hand over the Rainbow Maiden, nice and easy." Snake pulled back the safety on the pistol. "Now."

KID smirked coyly behind the mask he was still wearing, twirling the card gun around his finger. "Well, I've never been a good listener to begin with, especially when my audience has people like you in it! And what purpose do you have with Pandora? Keep the big bad ol' Grim Reaper away for a few more decades?"

"Shut up! This is the last time I'm asking you nicely. Hand over the gem!"

KID rolled his eyes at the men. "Can't you come up with a few good lines, rather than the same cliched 'gangster' stuff you throw at me? It gets so awfully boring after hearing it more than once!"

Snake narrowed his beady eyes at the Phantom Thief. "Oh? Then I'm sure there are plenty of things to keep you from being bored. Once I send your sorry ass to Hell, that is!"

"Seriously? That's the best line you could come up with?!"

"The Organization doesn't pay me to put on silly theatrics with a good-for-nothing thief like you! However, there is a promise to bump my paycheck just a bit if I bring your head on a platter back to the boss. But if you want your death to sweet and short, hand over the Rainbow Maiden. This is your last warning, KID."

Behind the water tank, every word that drifted between KID and whoever he was talking to reached Shinichi's ears. She could feel the blood drain from her face as well as the thrumming of her frantic heart increase tenfold.

How was this possible? How could there still be more ravens roaming the skies of Tokyo when Jodie-san had assured her, as well as everyone else who was involved in taking down the Black Organization, that the nightmare was finally over? No more hiding, no more worrying that someone referred by an alcoholic name reached your ears? It took all of her willpower to stay silent and rooted to her spot. She was certain that they had brought down the entire Organisation. So then, who were these "men in black "?

Wait a minute...that codename. Snake.

It does have a small reference to snake wine, which is produced and can be found throughout Southeast Asia by infusing whole snakes and rice wine or grain alcohol. They might be part of the Black Organization, or they could be a completely different group of people. The only thing Shinichi was certain about was that these men in black were dangerous, and incredibly so, if even Kaitou KID didn't want them seeing her. Trusting the Phantom Thief's judgement, and not wanting to get in his way, Shinichi stayed hidden, absorbing whatever she could hear about these men in black from their interaction with KID.

Meanwhile, Kaito could see that the tense situation was only going to get much worse. And he'd rather Shinichi not get further involved in his mess. A mirthless chuckle soon broke the heavy silence as KID's monocle reflected the full moon shining them. "It truly is a shame that this reunion has to be cut so short after my performance~! I'd love to stay for an encore but I've prepared something a little special for you. Take it as...a token of my displeasure~!" Bowing dramatically, and with a sleight of the hand, KID threw three smoke bombs onto the ground.

BOOM.

BOOM.

BOOM!

Seeing the men in black choking for air and straining to see their target, KID used the diversion to fetch the damsel in distress from behind the water tank and flung both of them off the roof and into the night sky, activating the hang glider. Thankfully, Shinichi remained silent for the duration of the trip until he brought her to an alley at least three blocks from Clyro Villa. Whether it was due to shock, or fear, or common sense, he didn't know. And frankly, he could wait until they were a safe distance away to find out. Thankfully, the decoy he had sent out earlier had done its job, and the surroundings were clear of both the police as well as the media. But now the bigger question was, how can he proceed his investigation for Edogawa Agatha when Snake and the rest of his cronies might be out searching for the only link to his missing critic? It was a mistake; sending the second invitation with the heist notice was almost screaming that KID has some link to Kudo Shinichi. Why else would the Phantom Thief go to such lengths when Inspector Nakamori make it obvious last time that the Detective of the East would not be allowed to his shows, except in the company of Nakamori Aoko, his daughter?

Luckily, Snake hadn't spotted the hidden sleuth, but if the Organization thought that KID had some link to Shinichi, he knew they would stop at nothing until they had her. The situation would have to be rectified somehow. Maybe by convincing Shinichi to ditch his next few heists? No, the headstrong girl wouldn't listen to him at all. He would have to be the one to avoid her. KID would have liked to think that only time would tell at this point and figure things out as it went...but he had the ominous feeling that there wasn't much time left.

xPFx

Hashimoto Yusuke has spent the majority of his life in the criminal underworld, possessing zero tolerance for incompetent subordinates and those with a lack of obedience when they were given simple instructions. But not even years of dining even with the most black-hearted people could protect this hardened man from that person. His boss. The leader of their Organization who was staring at him with an unamused expression.

"I truly apologize for this evening's unfortunate outcome, Maestro. I did not expect -"

"Clearly," The person growled in English on the other side of their video conversation via Yusuke's laptop, "You did not expect anything because you have no control over the dogs who bend to your command! You have known me for a long time; I am patient, but even that has its limits. I put my faith in the skills you possess as a second-in-command, and you've returned my generosity with nothing but apologies and excuses! With each day that passes, the arrival of the Volley Comet comes closer! Have you already forgotten why Pandora is so important to our cause? Do you remember what is its role?"

Beads of sweat started to trickle down Yusuke's portly face. "N-No, Maestro! I haven't forgotten!"

And who could forget? Pandora was a gem that could produce the elixir of immortality by 'crying' red tears beneath the full moon at the exact when the Volley Comet arrived. But drinking such a precious liquid could not be done directly from the stone itself in accordance with the prophecy. You would need something to utilize its full potential. And that was where purpose of The Box came in.

Constructed by a German scientist during World War II, the Box was originally used to insure that the Aryan race and the legacy of its Fuhrer would remain eternal by the gem's liquid, called by many as Pandora's Tears. But somehow over the ongoing struggle for Europe, both the machine and Pandora were lost. Now almost a century later, the Organization had one part to unlocking the key to immortality in their grasp. And they needed to find the other piece before it is too late.

That person glared at the second-in-command for a few moments until it was fitting to address him once more. "Good. Continue the search and when I contact again, bring me results. Understand?"

"Y-Yes, Maestro! A-And what about the young lady that Snake had claimed to see when KID made his escape? Kudo Shinichi?"

"...Keep an eye on her for now. She might be useful later. I must leave. I've kept my guests waiting long enough. Dismissed." And just like that, the puppet-master pulling everyone's strings vanished from the computer screen as quickly as they had appeared. Hashimoto released the breath he had been holding onto.

Snake and others could not screw up next time. If they did...it wasn't that hard to figure out what exactly would happen to the Organization's second-in-command at the next meeting. They needed to find Pandora. Now.

It looks like the Organization is becoming more desperate to find Pandora, and might use any means necessary to obtain this precious gem! Now aware that his enemies will try to harm Shinichi, but what lengths will Kuroba Kaito and KID go to protect the Detective of the East? Will this development have any affect on their developing relationship? Or will the Rainbow Maiden work its ancient magic and bind these together to face against the odds stacked against them?

For those who are a little confused at the character talking to the Organization's boss, Hashimoto Yusuke is the name I've given to the unnamed sub-boss of the Organization seen during the Blue Birthday heist!

Please feel free to review or PM me with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism. Thanks to everyone who has favorited, reviewed, and added Paper Faces to their alert lists.

See you next illusion. - (KID caricature)