Devil's Contract Challenge

Heya everyone.

I've had a few requests to extend the dead line, so I've extended it to:

Monday 28th of May.

If anyone still wants to participate they can. And if any new comers need me to extend that date, I shall.

So I hope to see more entrants!

And since I'm sure you're not allowed just an author's note, let's have a little more fic!

Midnight Interlude

I watch as the Devil completes his routine and holds the newly obtained Phoenix Fire up to the moonlight. I've caught him doing this many times after a heist, and as far as I can tell, he's checking to see whether it's Pandora or not. Nothing happens though. At least that's what I see, since I actually don't have a clue as to what is supposed to happen if the jewel is Pandora.

"So?" I enquire. The Devil shakes his head.

"Not Pandora. Not that I had much hope anyway." He sighs. It's rare to see him as down-heartened as that, but then again, I've never seen him after a heist.

"What makes you say that?" I question.

"It's rather obvious actually Metainei." Oh, so I'm back to being a detective now… or does he mean I should think like a detective. God he's so hard to understand sometimes. And then he turns that sweet smile at me as if I'm some slow stupid child that just doesn't get that 2+2=4. "Where was the jewel located?"

"In a statue outside. Oh, I get it. Since it's outside all of the time, it would have already been hit by moonlight and 'something' would have happened. That's assuming that whatever was supposed to happen hasn't already and you just didn't notice it. Who's to say that it hasn't made the statue immortal or something." Since the jewel is an object rather than a person, there is no reason that it can't work on objects too. But that's all guess work. All I know about the jewel KID is looking for is that it's called Pandora, and is supposed to grant immortality. As unbelievable and unscientific as that sounds. At least my poison has a scientific name and chemical structure.

KID laughs at me. "That could be true." He means it as a joke, sure that Pandora only affects Humans. And to prove his point, he leans up over the wall of the roof we are on and shoots one of his cards at the statue. And sure enough, part of the statue chips off. Nor does the statue miraculously heal itself.

Turning back to me, a considering gleam fills his eyes. "So tell me, what would Conan have done to stop me?"

"For a start, I would have remembered that those mirrors have gaps in between. I've been to that park enough to know that. So I might have come from behind and darted you then. And I wouldn't have stepped into the water. Everything you say in a heist note is significant. So if you say beware of water… well, the police are idiots at times. But it's not a relevant question. If Conan was there, then I wouldn't be. There'd only be you doing the heist so you would have planned it differently and Conan would have something else to deal with." Which is true. The part with the mirrors wouldn't have the same effect with just him since the whole idea was about light and dark.

KID leans back against the wall of the building we are sat on, hands behind his head. "Hmm, I would have approached that differently if you hadn't been there. But, I have a question: How did you enjoy your first heist, Mystery?"

I hold the mask back over my eyes since that's one of the rules. He's talking to the thief, not the detective. "It was rather interesting actually. I've never had to think that much before, yet I was…"

KID smiles at me once more, but this is a winning smile, as if he knows he's correct. "Gone on. I'm asking Mystery after all"

I nod. I'm slowly starting to get why he treats the thief and detective as two different people. "It was… fun. I've never had that much fun before. It was rather exhilarating and my heart was beating so fast. I can see why you hold heists even if you know the target isn't Pandora. You've turned me into an Adrenaline junkie." I point an accusing finger at him, but he just laughs it off.

"I think you were one before you joined me. What else would makes you do all of the dangerous stunts you do? Diffusing bombs, skateboarding over impossible jumps, driving a car out of a building that's about to explode and using the force to project you further. You even paraglided after me once. If that's not being an adrenaline junkie that I don't know what is."

"You've seen me do all of that?" I'll be honest and say I'm shocked. Knowing him, I shouldn't be, but I am.

KID laughs once again, most likely due to my facial expression, but I don't care at the moment. I'm more worried about the feeling that I've been stalked by a mental thief for a very long time now.

"For a start, there's a thing called the news Metantei. And there's also a thing called connections. And finally there's another thing called coincidence." I don't think KID believes in coincidence, he plans everything too much for there to be room for coincidence. But once again, I'm worried about his connections. That still means he's asked about me, on purpose.

"Connections? Whilst I know better than to ask who they are, it still means you asked about me. Is it a hobby of yours to stalk little children?" Even though we are supposed to be partners, there is still quite a gap between us. He knows far more about my life that I do about him. For a start, he knows Mystery's true identity, whilst I am still only acquainted with KID. Even during planning and practice sessions, it was always KID who I met up with. I still have yet to unmask him.

KID makes a discontented and offended noise, before straightening himself up to look more imposing. Which he would, if not for the pout on his face. That makes me know he's not offended by my comment and just finds it funny. He finds a lot of things funny actually. "I'll let you know I am a Gentleman Thief. And Gentlemen do not resort to stalking. I prefer to call it a healthy interest in possible threats along with a good dose of Gentlemen-like concern for minors."

"A threat? You don't see anyone as a threat." I scoff. "Why not just say you were interested or intrigued?" I don't want to be demoted to some kind of weird hobby.

The aura surrounding KID changes after my question. It's more heist like actually: a mix of mystery and hidden fun. But there is a serious undertone there too. "Why else do you think I want you by my side like this Metantei? You know that I don't really need Masked Mystery. I'd rather have you next to me than across from me as an enemy. And I was interested, especially once I figured out just who you were. And once I learnt the circumstances behind it, I wanted to help. And then the rest of the story is the future." KID looks up at the moon during this point, as if not wanting to look me in the eyes. Or maybe he doesn't want me to look into his.

"I believe the phrase is 'and the rest is history'" I say jokingly.

But I know what he means. We're at the starting point, from here we can only go forwards.

By the way, how many of you would be interested if I turned this into a real fic? Shinichi's double life as a Detective and Phantom.

I'm still working on the second heist, just got a little writers block.

I'm still looking for more entrants by the way. Don't be scared, I won't bite.

Phantom Hitman 1412

First Published 17 May 2012