Phantom Detective: Ghost Story

Some times Ran had to wonder about her friends. For once it wasn't her mystery-geek shrunken half-ghost boyfriend Shinichi that was causing her grief. Indeed since her discovery of his 'little' problem, he had endeavored to stay firmly on her good side.

No, right now it was Sonoko who was causing her grief. The hyperactive blonde considered Ran a sister of sorts. And well, sisters tease each other. Such as the scary story telling contest currently underway.

Not to long ago that would have been enough to give her nightmares, but she was slowly being desensitized to the supernatural. Of course Sonoko didn't know that.

"You're doing pretty good tonight," Sonoko commented. "But you'll never get through one of my tales of terror. There was once this one couple who…"

She was cut off by a bloodcurdling scream by a girl named Nanase.

"A man, there was a man outside!" she pointed shakily at the glass doors that lead to the Suzuki's backyard.

Ran jumped up and ran to the door, wrenching it open. "Whose there! Show yourself!" She got no answer but the pounding rain that had made tonight 'such a perfect night for telling scary stories' in Sonoko's own words.

"Way to freak us out." Sonoko mock glared at Nanase. "It's my turn to tell the story."

"But there really was someone," the poor girl whimpered.

"Maybe we should stop." Ran suggested.

"You'd like that wouldn't you. No way, now where was I?" Suddenly the lights started flickering wildly.

"M...maybe you should have your wiring checked." Suggested Nanase

"It's not the wiring" cried a girl named Keiko, "Look!" she pointed to the light switch which was jumping up and down wildly.

Ran shivered. "Is it me, or did it suddenly get very cold in here."

"Sonoko-san, your house isn't haunted is it?"

"Of course not!"

The flickering stopped, plunging the room into darkness.

One of the girls screamed. "I just felt a cold hand on my arm."

Loud footsteps echoed from upstairs.

"Didn't you say your parents were gone for the weekend," Ran asked.

Sonoko nodded nervously.

Out of nowhere came a scream, and not from one of the girls. This was a male scream and seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

None of the girls moved. They sat huddled together in the living room floor. For a long time nothing happened, then the light flicker back on.

"…guess it's over." Keiko said nervously

Sonoko looked around then laughed. "Come on, it was probably just someone pranking us. No Biggie." She then realized that none of the others were paying attention to her. Rather they were staring in horror at a dark corner of the ceiling. There was a noose hanging, dangling slightly. Inside the noose was the transparent figure of a man. No features could be made out, just the vague glowing outline of his body. Without warning his eye suddenly opened wide, his glowing glare aimed at the poor girls. As one entity they all ran away screaming.

All but one.

Mori Ran showed absolutely no fear as the ghostly figure drifted down from the ceiling, features becoming more distinct the closer it got. It floated behind her, his hands grasping her shoulders on either side of her neck.

"That's nice Shinichi," Ran murmured as he gave her an impromptu backrub.

"No problem." He said, giving her a ghostly kiss, "But that was slightly mean of you, calling in your own personal ghost to scare your friends."

Ran shrugged. "They started it. Sonoko knows how much scary stories bother me. Besides, how is this any different from that number you pulled on your teacher?"

"Speaking of which…"

Ran laughed. "It's okay Conan, you aren't grounded anymore. Still, that was pretty good. Especially the scream, it didn't sound anything like you."

Shinichi smiled nervously. "Nothing you should worry about."

S$

"Okay, run this by me again?" Megure asked, rubbing his temples.

"What's there to explain? I broke into the Suzuki house in order to rob it. The younger daughter was having a slumber party; I saw the guests through the glass doors. I figured I'd tie up the girls and scare them a little before looting the place. That's when the ghost showed up."

"The ghost?" Great, it's Jack Fenton all over again. "Can you describe it?"

" I… I'll never forget that face. Young, late teens to early twenties. White hair, orange suit, green eyes. I'll never forget those horrible eyes. He was glaring, full of rage when he grabbed me."

"The ghost grabbed you?"

The man nodded, "Flew me through the roof. Told me if I wanted to live to see another day to come here and confess. So I'm confessing! I've commited over thirty minor burglaries over the past ten years. I've got two unpaid parking tickets and cheated on my taxes. Now for the love of god lock me up before he finds me!"

Megure sighed. "Chiba, get this guy to a holding cell, Shiratori call the Suzuki residence and find out if there was a disturbance. Sato, please clue me in on what the heck Takagi is laughing about."

S$$S

AN: Yeah, Ran found out about the events of 'Ghostly Revenge' and (to his eternal mortification) grounded him for it. Also This is the first chapter of PD to debut on FF.N.

Terra89: They can run but they can't hide. Pic of Takagi in Costume is now in the fanart folder.

The-world-needs-peace: Actually, Conan's not that against succeeding (if it means ditching the orange suit that clashes horribly with his eyes…) But as Hung Nyugen once said: With Great Power comes Great Chaos. Revenge on Sato and Ran…This shall be interesting.

YumeTakato: Your last reveiew said 'Deus Machina' which means a plot device that totally shifts the tone of the story and requires suspension in belief (I looked it up, yay new word) It fit 'Niichan' really well.

Candidus-lupus-full Moon: I love good crossovers too. I got your PM saying you hand figured out the site so I hope you find what you're looking for.