Reference to Detco Movie 8, A Truth behind Valentine's Case, and Blue Wonder Heist

Chapter 2

'This fucking— cocky— unbelievable bastard!'

Conan should have known. When Kaitou KID appeared as his older self, bailing him out from revealing the truth to Ran. It should have occurred to him that his main reason for coming there as Shinichi Kudō was to gleefully mess with his head. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the gall to come back with that same disguise right in front of his face to steal the Jewel of Destiny.

Worst of all, Conan can't tell anyone without outing himself and the grinning thief knows it.

Conan's hand itched to reach his belt and kick a soccer ball right up his ass.

'To think that KID has a similar face that he doesn't need a mask to disguise… He's just showing off how much he can get away with at this point.'

Frankly, Conan should have been more concerned that his identity was discovered by the master thief of all people. But despite not knowing how he figured, Conan knew when the thief first showed up to protect his secret meant KID won't hold it against him.

Conan always had a hard time dealing with Kaitou KID. That man is a showboat, a nuisance, and most of all a wild card. There's no telling what he's thinking half the time. Probably because like his moniker; he acts by throwing controlled situations into chaos, has the loudest sense of style, and wore the ever-playful yet mischievous smirk that barely left his face.

Oh, how Conan hates that smirk. Not only does he feel like he's being made fun of, but it was also harder to get a read on the so-called thief.

But there are facts about him he took as a linchpin to his character. One of them happens to be his adverse in directly causing fatal harm and inclination to prevent death around him.

But it seemed he should add another, which is KID's mission to piss Conan for his personal amusement. Why else would he stand on top of the rooftop, waiting for him as he stared up at the starry sky, other than to make it clear which of them would stand on top in this game of cat and mouse of theirs.

Conan felt a lot less guilty throwing himself off the rooftop.

If KID is going to take advantage of his secret, Conan's going to take advantage of his character.

All is fair in love and heist.

. . .

'You complete— sonnova— unbelievable little shit! '

Kaito thought with an unrepressed grin in the effort to keep his poker face intact. His mind was swirling with madness and relief while watching the tiny detective take control of his fall before chasing after his hang glider with a paraglider. Inwardly, Kaito cursed his reckless ass and hoped one day the jerk would get a taste of karma for that trick.

Annoyed as he was from being deceived in such an under-handed method, credit where credit was due, that was certainly a clever and hardcore plan. Only a crazy daredevil would throw themselves off a skyscraper to challenge a Phantom Thief who thrives in the sky. For the detective to push him to the edge like this only gets his blood pumping.

If Hakuba is the closest detective to uncover the thief's identity, then Conan is the closest detective to capture KID.

'You really are the best critic, Meitantei.' Kaito recalled his words to Senma-baasan during the Sunset Manor Case. Truly he loves his critics that give him exciting challenges and give KID the passionate chase deserving of his reputation. It's the greatest compliment for a thief in place of a standing applause. 'But too bad we can't ever meet, since I don't want to be caught.'

"As expected of you." He said once he lured Tantei-kun on top of the train, "That paraglider just now, is that another invention of Agasa-hakase?"

"You can't run anymore," Conan replied, a smirk gracing his lips. "If you can't fly, KID the Phantom Thief is just another thief."

It was at that moment that Kaito realized this guy, Shinichi Kudō, wasn't preying on him like he was some common criminal. He was challenging him. Tearing his magic apart brick by brick, cutting off his means of escape, then daring KID to run off if he can. As if they were playing a game of chess, taking turns before waiting for the other to make their next move.

Let it never be said that Kaitou KID backs down from a challenge.

"Well then, maybe I should return to being a phantom thief."

Conan blinked hard through the rushing wind and only then noticed the glider was still there, an engine attached to keep its trajectory along the train where they landed.

Realization dawned on him before he started sprinting. KID waited until the last second for Conan to miss the thief by mere centimeters before reeling himself back up.

'Until next time~' His cheeky grin seemed to say as he waved goodbye.

And let it never be said that Kaito isn't a little shit as well.

. . .

"EH?! KID jumped off the plane?" Conan exclaimed at the co-pilot seat that was dangerously low on fuel. Ran desperately trying to keep her mind straight by his side as she carried the hundreds of lives in this metal bird she was flying.

"That's right. Shinjo-san was Kaitou KID. He must have gotten scared we're going to crash and fled." Sonoko scoffed out her disappointment. He wished she didn't have to jinx things by saying they're gonna crash though. "And I was a fan of his too, he's the worst!"

Conan couldn't take Sonoko's words at face value. Conan knows KID. If he abandoned them as he said, then he could have done that a long time ago. Conan remembered he had been examining something on the ground that triggered his decision but at what?

'Is it really like Sonoko said? Did he find it was too high of a risk staying and decide to jump ship? Nothing wrong in choosing survival coming from a common thief,' The niggling doubt prodded his mind and Conan shook that thought away. 'No. KID is a stubborn mule who doesn't know when to quit even when the odds are against him. Evidence doesn't lie. Believe in the evidence. Believe in him!'

But then he noticed Ran's brave but quivering hands, reminding Conan that he had more pressing matters than to be preoccupied with KID. Her fear and nerves were penetrating her mind and if left alone might paralyze her whole body.

Shinichi knew Ran better than most so he knew she was mentally at her breaking point as she shouldered the lives of her friends, her family, and hundreds of other passengers. Ran is kind to a fault, a small insignificant failure from her would have her blaming herself which only will make her tenser.

Conan got off his seat so that Shinichi would take the metaphorical third wheel of this plane. One of the only other people Ran could rely on. Shinichi had sworn to protect her, and he hoped it was enough to put her more at ease.

Of course, Shinichi expected her to be mad, calling at the 11th hour like that. But there was an emotional weight hitting him all the same when Ran confessed her anxiety, her burden, and her love.

Shinichi wishes nothing more than to be by her side and hold her hand. To tell her he was with her just like during the Skyscraper Bombing Case. That he's keeping his promise with Ran 'till the end.

'If we're going to die, we do it together.'

But then a spark of hope finally lit up. To be exact, an impossibly long line of police siren lights heading toward the pier. 'So that's what's going on." Shinichi smirked at KID's sense of flair, 'You shouldn't have scared me like that, idiot thief.' The detective should have known that the magician isn't one to tell what tricks cooked up in his mind, but he welcomed KID's help all the same.

'With this, we can finally see it. The light at the end of the tunnel! Time to do my part and guide our brave pilots.'

As he did just that with their safety at the edge of their seat. Praying for one last miracle for the plane to stop, stop, please stop!

The plane stopped.

And everyone survived.

Shinichi felt like laughing in relief. He went straight back to the pilot's cabin and was shocked to find both Ran and Sonoko fainted from the same feeling but was only glad they were physically fine.

The police immediately went to evacuate the passengers, followed soon after by the paramedics and firefighters. Sonoko and Ran were carried out so it might be a while before they regained consciousness. They were especially fussy since they found a kid in the plane's cockpit despite Conan insisting to them he was fine, but the boy relented when a disturbingly familiar face among the first responder coaxed him to be looked after.

The boy waited until he was put in the back of one of the firetrucks before glaring up at the magician, "Shouldn't you be disguising yourself as a passenger instead? I'm sure the police wouldn't blink twice over an injured person being treated."

"Are~ is Tantei-kun worried about me?" KID gave his trademark grin, "I'm flattered."

Conan did not look amused, "The worried one is you. Otherwise, you wouldn't go all the way disguising yourself as a paramedic with the full force of the KID Task Force still around."

KID had to will up a smile to hold back the annoyed tick growing on his forehead, "You know you don't have to deduce every single one of my actions, Tantei-kun."

"Moron, the only time I will ever stop deducing you is the day I end your moonlighting career."

"Oh, but is today not that day? I thought you said you would catch me once the metal bird finally landed." KID tried to get a rise out of his tiny critic.

Conan, predictably, felt irritated. The thief knew full well he wasn't going to disrupt the evacuation in lieu of capturing him nor after helping them land the plane safely.

"You didn't steal anything, and you act more like a white-caped hero than a crook. So just for today, I'll treat you as one."

KID clicked his tongue in disappointment while waving his finger, "No, no, now that won't do, Meitantei. I may be a magician but I am no hero. A failure one at that. In the end, I couldn't create a good enough miracle to save my show."

KID still had that cocky smirk infamously known by any police force who was after him, giving him an arrogant and devil-may-care vibe. And seeing that smile, all Conan wanted to do was to knock it off his face for trying to act tough.

"True, we're no heroes. Both of us. We may have not been the best option, but we were the only option regardless." The sight of the exploding airport left in their wake still burned behind Shinichi's eyes and he doubted he was the only one. "We did everything we could have done given the situation. There's no shame in grieving the people we've failed, without forgetting the people we've saved."

Conan avoided KID's wide-eyed gaze and crossed his arms, looking more like the child he's physically in. "Including one brat who barely can steer a plane on his own."

That successfully made Kaito chuckle, 'This guy just can't be honest and plainly say thank you, can't he?'

"What a heartfelt speech, as expected of Meitantei. I would love to extend our meeting, but this gentleman thief must take his leave for tonight." KID pulled his hardhat down and gave him a short bow of farewell, "May we meet again under the grace of the moon."

Looking at the thief's back as he began to mix into the crowd until Conan lost sight of him and gave an unimpressed sigh, 'That thief can't simply be honest and say he's glad we're alive, can't he?'

. . .

14th February, Valentine's Day.

In certain areas, people were lucky to celebrate a White Valentine with their loved ones.

And in one area, a certain shrunken-high-schooler was calling his most beloved person after eating the nameless bitter-sweet chocolate she couldn't send.

"But Shinichi, calling yourself Detective Kid is really lame you know?" Ran said from the other side of the phone.

'I thought so…' Shinichi felt like hitting himself out of embarrassment. Honestly, he knew it was lame but that was the first thing he thought of when taking a picture of her sleeping face before giving it back. 'I want to save the pic but my identity would get blown if it's found.'

"Ah!" Suddenly Ran exclaimed, "I got it! You were trying to act cool and copied Kaitou KID, right?"

"Idiot! Who would copy that damn thief!" Shinichi denied vehemently that it took self-control not to shout and be heard by Ran across the door. He supposed he shouldn't be upset when the nickname Tantei KID wasn't exactly a subtle reference. 'I knew I shouldn't have used that name.'

"Don't be embarrassed, Shinichi. Although he may be a criminal, he's pretty popular with the girls and even has his own fan club. Sonoko mentioned that to me before."

Shinichi sweat-dropped at the image, 'Of course a smug guy like him would have a fan club. To be admiring a crook, what a world we live in.'

"But he's really a weird person," said Ran, "Even though KID is a criminal he doesn't feel like one at all."

"I don't think you should complement a person for being decent, Ran. Don't forget KID drugged you to sleep that one time so keep your guard up around him."

Ran hummed from her side of the call, "That's not it, Shinichi. How should I say it… hmm…" She struggled to come up with the right words before settling, "There's just something about him that reminds me of you."

"Haa?!"

"You know how the media portrays him as this mysterious thief that can steal anything with magic, right? Well, I only met him briefly, but he reminds me how you like to act as this cool detective that can solve any case when you're actually just an awkward mystery geek on the inside."

"Mo, moron! Exactly which part of that makes me similar to that crook?"

Ran giggled, thinking she finally knows something Shinichi doesn't, "If you can't see it then I'm not gonna tell you~"

The conversation naturally shifted to other things, in the back of Shinichi's mind was the curious rattling of what Ran found to be similar to KID. 'Don't tell me… she thinks I'm as annoying as that petty thief, right?'

. . .

Kaito Kuroba is a sore loser.

You might find there are other words that would aptly describe him; jester, annoying, playful, genius, and many other descriptions, but the former is the one that would explain why he roped himself and his assistant, Kounosuke Jii, into stealing the Blue Wonder. A Big Jewel that's not even high up on their list.

All because a rich old man with nothing else to do decided challenging Kaitou KID would be a good idea for his image and because of a vain grudge.

"That damn old geezer! Not only does he dare think being rich is enough to catch The Great Thief of the Sky, but he's actually making money out of this challenge and advertising his new museum to boot. I'm gonna teach him a lesson!"

Jii could only lamently watch his Bocchama agreeing fiercely to the challenge within the privacy of their lair. Well, Jii had expected as much. Kaitou KID barely flinched against hidden traps, much less an obvious one.

Moreover, Jirokichi Suzuki might talk big, but he has the unlimited fund to back it up and the security he came up with isn't something to laugh at either. However, dangerous circumstances only seemed to excite his Bocchama, so Jii was prepared to argue in futile against his stubborn charge.

So after doing the groundwork and explaining the security detail Jirokichi had in mind; security and film crew choppers in the sky, an absent museum with hundreds of cameras where entry is forbidden, a tricky set-up to hide the jewel out of sight. Even Jii's experience as Tōichi's assistant was not enough to come up with a fool-proof plan.

"Can you come up with any ideas, Bocchama?"

His young master hummed in thought as he watched the interview footage of his target's owner when suddenly his eyes lit up with his face closing in at the TV. Kaito started mumbling under his breath. Jii could only catch a few words, something about "detective", "blue", "sea", and "thief" before starting a flurry of writing as if he was hit by inspiration.

It all happened so fast that Jii almost got whiplash, "Bo, Bocchama?"

"Looks like we're gonna have a tough time for this heist."

Jii followed his gaze and found a familiar face among the crowds that would prompt such a response. "Is that Edogawa Conan... or is it Kudō Shinichi you mentioned before? My, my, this might be the first time this Jii shall help your endeavor in fooling our troublesome heckler."

"Eh? Jii-chan, you haven't met him yet?"

"Yes, I've only had a glimpse of him during the Memories Egg Heist. Since this old man was too busy fishing for a certain thief at Osaka Bay." Jii stared unblinkingly at his precious young master.

Kaito winced before awkwardly laughing, "Ehehe, thanks, and sorry for worrying you that time."

"I have faith in Bocchama's skill but do be more careful when you're baiting a world-renowned sniper next time." Jii made his pointed remark on his young master's reckless behavior. Kaito barely looked repentant as he scratched the back of his head. So Jii shook his head as he turned his attention back to the mini-high-school detective.

"So have you come up with a way to steal the Blue Wonder?"

Kaito nodded, "Jii-chan, do you know one of Holmes' famous lines? You see but you do not observe. Since we're going up against the Heisei Homes, it'll be our win if we can create the best magic to make him observe the wrong place at the wrong moment."

"'Win?'" Jii narrowed his eyes, "Since when has this heist been about winning, Bocchama?"

His young master gulped and didn't bother a poker face as his gaze kept looking away, "Ah, no, I mean, err, that is–"

"Bocchama," Jii stepped closer until he was barely an inch away from the young man's face, "I hope you're not making use of this heist to settle this rivalry you have with that detective of yours."

"Of, of course not, Jii-chan." Kaito backed away. "Stealing the jewel and finding Pandora is obviously our priority. Also, I can't allow my fans to believe that Kaitou KID backs down from any challenge. That will ruin the reputation my pops built, I can't have that."

As Kaito expected, the mention of his father was enough to soften Jii-chan and lower his suspicion. But Kaito felt bad for half-lying.

"Then that's fine. But please keep in mind the words left by the late Tōichi-sama that the stage is like a warzone. Don't be distracted by the battle that you forget to win the war," Jii advised strongly.

"Don't worry, Jii-chan. I remember. Including that heart and smile are the essence to a successful show." Kaito's gaze became a bit more wistful as he looked up at the ceiling. Jii felt he might subconsciously be seeking advice from his late father. "That's why… Jii-chan… If I don't aim for a grand performance that I put all my heart and skill into, I wouldn't be able to face Meitantei, much less myself."

"Bocchama…" Jii was not sure he understood this rivalry those two had between them. But this was not the first time he handled such relationship as Kaitou KID's assistant, so he knew when not to pry any further. 'And for it to be that person's son. Fate has such a funny way of playing their tricks.'

Kaito then went on to explain his plan… No, his magic show that would turn heads and flip the proud security of the Suzuki Financial Group to their advantage.

Not even Jii expected such a plan. It was Kaito's most daring heist yet. "This… this is…"

"Awesome, right? Inspection before the show is the basics of magic and what we'll be doing is just that for our heist but on a grander scale." Kaito's grin was pure mischief but it was anything but soft, "That cocky old geezer will have helicopters station to record his autobiography, right? Since he was kind enough to record our show, we should let him shoot every second of our Miracle of the Sky that will make his 72-year life pale in comparison."

"Ah, I see, so KID will not only be stealing the jewel but the spotlight as well."

"Exactly!" Kaito gaze turned to the object of his goal, eyes gleaming predatory. "Look forward to it, Jii-chan. This is going to be our most exciting show yet."

. . .

Heist successful. Jewel stolen. No Pandora (not that he expected it to be one). Steal a march on the Old Man Jirokichi. And finally and most importantly, Tantei-kun didn't manage to see through his magic in time.

As KID rode away with the Blue Wonder by his side, with no one giving him a second glance as the Task Force literally handed him the jewel (Oh, the look on their faces when they'll realize what happen. A shame he couldn't witness it).

The familiar adrenaline rush after an exhausting show but successfully pulling off the greatest magic he ever made and it filled him with so much pride and excitement that Kaito let out pure, unadulterated laughter–

"What's so funny…" The voice of Tantei-kun sounded from the sidecar, "...Kaitou KID-san?"

'You've got to be kidding me?!' KID kept a composed face as he reacted as Jirokichi would. But inwardly his heart jumped and teeth gritted at the sight of the smiling detective.

Oh, because Kaito knew that smile. That infuriating smile he wore whenever he managed to see through the lies and deception to reach the truth before lording over his deduction at his target.

All the while, he had to keep his eyes on the road while keeping watch on the brat for any trap he might set up. Kaitou KID is in quite a pinch.

This isn't even his first rodeo, but for every second spent listening to the pint-sized detective uncover his Air Walk magic, there was the familiar tingle of his skin and the racing of his heart that Meitantei never failed to incite. The rushing adrenaline sang through his veins as he was on the edge, that is.

Having his mask pulled would have been preferable to having his disguise and tricks picked apart. As if Conan was cornering KID by stripping him off his guise until Kaito was laid bare with nowhere to hide.

There's nothing more disturbing for a magician than having his poker face seen through after all.

In the end, there's no winning against his deduction so Kaito had to put up his metaphorical hands in defeat by pulling off his mask. Note to self: avoid disguising contact-wearing people while riding a motorcycle.

All the while, Conan was grinning from ear to ear as all his deductions hit the bullseye. Kaito mentally sweatdropped at the thought of this guy having the most fun when catching criminals.

"Are you sure about this?" Conan had his Stun-Dart Watch at the ready, and KID wondered what his actual plan was. "Your accomplice will be caught as soon as he lands."

"I doubt it. They will be too busy chasing all of the many number sevens," KID gave hint.

"Many? Ah, I see, you changed all of the numbers to seven and then pasted the original numbers on top so that they would blow away in the wind."

"And in the chaos, my assistant will escape into the blue yonder," he gloated his escape plan. "By the grace of the Blue Wonder ."

"The sky? The 'Blue' from Blue Wonder represents the sea, not the sky," Conan argued pointedly.

"It's the same thing! The blue of the sea reflects the blue of the sky, right? It's the same with thieves and detectives." 'Like you and me.' "We're as different as earth and heavens, but we are both just insolent jerks who can't help prying into other people's secrets with a key called 'curiosity.'"

'That's right, you feel it too right? How we're a two of a kind; playing the role from a name we pick up, chasing after a goal behind the people we love, reckless idiots pursuing our brand of justice from opposite sides of the law.'

"Moron," Conan mocked, "The blue of the sky and sea are from the color's scatter and reflection respectively. Don't mix them up. As proof, puddles aren't blue."

If Kaito wasn't busy driving the motorcycle he would have facepalmed at Tantei-kun's cold logic that he missed the metaphor, "You really don't dream, do you?"

"If I'm busy having my head up in the clouds, I won't be able to see through the truth," his rival deadpanned.

Kaito noted the growing breeze of the wind and the escalating highway that was the perfect vantage point for flying out in his white glory suit if necessary and thought it was time to get rid of the extra weight. Tantei-kun seemed to expect KID to stop, but who would stop when he had Jirokichi's prideful "Speed-Up" ability to help his escape.

The magician prodded the little detective how he'll be catching KID before the boy suffered an unwanted spin on his makeshift merry-go-round. He might suffer some scratches and Kaito feels bad for the guy, but oh well, he needs to go all out if he wants to escape.

"See you around, Meitantei!" He called out from a distance, making a point that despite his admirable deduction show and keen mind, Kaitou KID is still far from his reach. "You can keep the jewel. In the end, that wasn't the one I was aiming for and I was only picking up the fight thrown at me."

"You damn–!" Conan steered the sidecar to the side until it created sparks. Kaito blinked as the road between them caught fire before noticing the spilling oil from the cut fuel line.

'That shitty brat!'

With the flame chasing after him getting ever closer, Kaito raced to the edge of the highway before leaping at the last second and successfully escaping. Singed and grumpy from the whole ordeal.

However, it was only when he was sure Conan was out of the way did Kaito relax and actually took in what he learned from today's heist.

According to his deduction, Meitantei could have had Kaito captured the moment he found out he was disguising as Old Man Jirokichi. Waaaaay before he was done with his magic and stole the Blue Wonder.

But he kept the show going 'till the end before getting away with the jewel… just because he hadn't figured out the trick yet before facing KID one-on-one again.

'A chivalrous detective against a gentleman thief. How laughable.'

But Kaito finally realized what made Conan so different from all his other detectives.

Beneath the sharp gaze of a hunter and the smug triumph of his tone was a critic who gleefully sees through his tricks but relishes the artistry of his work, a fellow showman who wanted nothing more than to be recognized for his brilliance, an ardent fan with childlike eagerness to see a show more impressive than the last.

Being met with such an exciting audience, there's no way he wouldn't meet his expectations. "Next time I'll be sure to blow your mind with my magic, Meitantei."

AN: My line of thought during the whole writing process:

Realizing KID actively tries to hide he's a softie when instead of acting, "Oh this is dangerous, I'm bailing, bye!" He could have just SAY he's luring the police to help. But NO, he has to make a point and have people question his morality. No wonder, Conan is tick by the guy.

Basically realizing KID is too stubborn to care and Conan is too stubborn to be grateful.

I had fun writing them like they were mirroring each other thought's subconsciously. Because they ARE similar to each other despite the differences and I try to show it off when similar sentiment rang through between them.

I don't know why, but Jii sounded like a father who lightly disapprove Kaito's relationship

Jii: Bocchama, you can't see him again! He's a bad influence on you!

Kaito: But Jii-chan! I want to beat him!

It took 10 years to realize when Shinichi wrote Detective Kid, he meant Tantei KID. He reference KID on Valentine's day! During a ShinRan moment. WTH Aoyama-sensei! What were you thinking?! Are you teasing KaiShin shippers or what?

Also realizing that KID and Shinichi tries to act cool when they're actually walking disaster and feral children on the inside. They don't mind attempt murder if they think you're strong enough to withstand it.