Chapter 2: Back to Domino

Conan stared blankly at the TV screen as he and the others watched the children's show Yaiba at his house. The others were cheering loudly for their favorite superhero to defeat the bad guys and Conan just gave a disbelieving look. Was I really like this when I was a kid? He sighed; being a kid again was tough. As the show ended, the kids cheered as Yaiba defeated his foe and saved the day once again. Of course he won, Conan thought, that's how the show works.

As he showed his friends out, he noticed the door to Kogoro's agency was open. Peering inside as he passed, he noticed a serious looking man speaking with Kogoro. Something was up. He ushered his friends out as fast as he could and ran back to the agency's door and listened to the conversation.

"…I know this is a strange case, but you have experience in them. Also, you're a private detective, you can move around more freely than the police," the man said.

There was a sigh and Kogoro began to speak, "I know that, but this case is nothing like I've ever heard of before. Besides, you said it yourself, the numbers aren't that big."

"Yes, but they are big enough to catch our notice. If this keeps happening, than the hospitals and mental institutions are going to be filled in a matter of months!"

What? Conan thought. What is he talking about?

Kogoro sighed again, "And this has been happening only in Domino City?"

"Yes, I've checked with other precincts, this is an isolated phenomenon."

"So how many have gone insane or began to behave strangely?"

"At least ten in the last few months."

"That many?" Kogoro exclaimed, Conan too was astounded by the numbers and time.

"Yes, and we fear that there may be more to come."

Kogoro was about to say something when – "What are they saying?"

Conan jumped in his place and turn to find his three friends eavesdropping as well. "What are you doing here?" he hissed at them.

Genta laughed loudly, "You know, Conan. You're terrible at trying to hide something."

"Like you can talk, Genta," Mitsuhiko commented.

"What was that?" Genta turned on him.

As the two boys were arguing, Ayumi and Conan just watched. After a moment, Ayumi turn to Conan and asked, "So, what were you listening in on?"

Before he could answer, the door opened and an irritated Kogoro scowled at them, "Stupid kids! Don't you know that there is a meeting going on?!"

"Yeah! You're discussing an important case, aren't you," Ayumi said.

He then hit Conan on the head, "See, this is why you don't bring your nosy friends here."

"Dad, don't hit Conan for having his friends over," Ran said as she came up the stairs with a shopping bag in hand.

Kogoro was going to reply when the man walked out of the room, "I'll talk to you tomorrow, thank you, Detective Mouri."

"Sure thing."

After the man turned down the street, Ran asked, "So who was that, Dad?"

Lighting a cigarette, Kogoro answered, "He's the inspector for the Domino City police force."

"Isn't that where the bomber case was a week ago?" Conan asked.

"Yeah, it seems like something strange is happening there and they want me to look into it."

"What's going on?" Ran asked.

Strangely, Kogoro paused for a moment, seemingly deciding if he should tell them or not. Kogoro shook his head, "No, it's nothing you need to worry about. I'm still not sure if I'm even going to take the case or not."

"Why?" Conan asked, confused.

"It's complicated adult stuff that a child shouldn't be exposed to!"

"It's not like I haven't been exposed to that kind of stuff before," Conan remarked sarcastically, earning himself another blow to the head.

"Dad!"

"What?"

"Don't hit Conan like that!" Ran said as she held him close to her, nursing his head.

"That's what he gets for being a nosy brat!" Kogoro started, but an icy glare from his daughter shut him up.

After real goodbyes, Conan's friends finally left and it was just the three of them again.

"So, what's this case about, and why wouldn't you take it?" Ran asked.

Though Kogoro was aware that Conan was still in the room, he decided it was best just to explain it. Besides, with that brat's knack for being nosy, he'd probably figure it out anyway.

"There's a strange phenomenon happening in Domino City. For a couple of months now, people have been found insane or have a radical change in behavior for no reason. Most of these people are, strangely enough, criminals and bully types. This leads to the question of a possible vigilante running away and picking fights with these guys, but it still doesn't explain the behavior."

"Were they given something that made them act weird?" Conan asked, innocently, trying to stay on Kogoro's good side until after the explanation.

Kogoro shook his head, "No, there were no drugs found in them and a few have reverted back to normal though their behavior has changed significantly. For example, there was a hall monitor in charge of discipline at the Domino City High School. He enforces the rules with great fear and was rumored to have been exploiting some of the weaker students into hiring him as a bodyguard for a high price. One day, however, he was found in front of the school huddled in a ball, crying, and saying that he was scared. No one knew what happened and he was hospitalized for two months, which he quit being a hall monitor and was scared of practically everyone."

Conan thought to himself quickly. Something had to have happened to this guy, something that scared him so much it drove him insane. Then he remembered something. The bomber case Kogoro did; didn't the culprit randomly jump out of the gondola because he was scared of something? And the idea of a vigilante… could that kid who solved the game in the bomber case have something to do with it?

"This seems like a serious case, Dad. Maybe you should work on it, they probably need you," Ran reasoned.

Kogoro nodded, but looked doubtful.

The reason he doesn't want to do it, is because he's afraid he'll go insane, too, Conan thought.

"I'm sure the Great Detective Mouri can easily solve this case! No one is going to mess with your mind!" Conan cheered, chastising himself as he did.

"Yeah your right, Conan, I can solve this case. This weekend I'll go to Domino City and get to work."

"Can we come?" Ran asked.

"Of course not, it's too dangerous!" Kogoro exclaimed.

"But I thought you said I was your good luck charm?" Conan said in the most childish voice he could muster.

"Yes, but like I said it's too dangerous for a kid."

"We can just come to the town; we don't have to be with you as you work. We could go to an amusement park, wouldn't you like that Conan?" Ran said. Conan nodded in agreement.

After a long round of arguing, Kogoro finally surrendered with the promise that they wouldn't be with him as he worked. This looks like this will be an interesting case, Conan thought, ready for anything.

One thing I realized in season 0 of Yugioh is the fact that no one seems to notice that there are a lot of weird things happening in town and that a lot of people were going insane. Sure, it wasn't a great number, but still one would think someone would notice right? Or maybe that's just me. Next chapter will be an interesting one for sure, so until next time!

Disclaimer – I do not own Yugioh or Detective Conan

Please review and give any suggestions!