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Author's Note: The story's finally picking up, and I'm quite happy for that. I was gone for a long time. Please, give reviews everyone. I need it to improve my work. As you may know, I promised a double chapter next week, so a double chapter I shall give on February 6. Next week's the 30th chapter of my fanfiction, so we should celebrate.

Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan. How many times should I mention this?

The Moment Where Everything Was Lost

Part I: The Eclipse

"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius."

Sherlock Holmes (The Valley of Fear)

Chapter XXIX: Black Contact: The Gathering of the Detectives

The sound of the feedback from the other end of the receiver kept still, ringing through Shinichi's ears, waiting for the faintest whisper to possibly give him hope. He sat still on the couch beside the window of the Beika City Police Headquarters. Eyeing on the passer-byes walking below, he fixed his hearing on the dead silence of the receiver.

Kaito, pick up. Please, pick up.

Thirty minutes passed since Shinichi last heard from Kaito. The connection broke the minute he entered the vicinity of the place. He was wondering if the reception there was just entirely awful, but Kaito couldn't have been there for too long.

"Kudo-kun, we received news from the fire department that a fire broke on a mansion just beside the borders of Beika city. It's the same house that Kaito-kun entered," Takagi came up to Shinichi.

"Takagi-kun, contact Inspector Megure, Jodie-san, Akai-san, Hattori, and Haibara. Tell them to meet me in the conference room upstairs."

They came in one by one and took a seat in front of the lopsided table. "Kudo-kun, what's happening?" Jodie asked. "I'm sorry for keeping all of these from you. Everything came up too fast. Yesterday, the boss of the Black Organization confronted me."

There were no gasps of shock, nothing but silence circulated in the air within the room, but I could read their eyes full of surprise. "I'm still surprised at how all of this happened, but to cut it short, the Black Organization's taking the first move. Yesterday, I was able to track down their boss' hideout and instructed Kaito to take a look at it."

"Where is he?" Akai said out in blank tone. "I don't know."

"This is bad. We should rescue him at once!" Takagi shouted. "Idiot, this isn't a search and rescue mission. We're going to battle. The mistake of going there will be our downfall. Kaito knew that this would happen and trust him will you. He's going to be fine," Hattori cut Takagi off.

"A few minutes after my connection with Kaito disappeared. He gave off a morse code to me since voices seem to be breaking the weak reception. The small audible knock was able to go through the weak signal."

"What did he say?" Jodie asked.

"The next showdown will be in Antarctica. We'll end everything there. I don't know the full details, but Kaito said that we should go to Antarctica to end this. We're going to burn their Intelligence Headquarters to the ground."

"How can you be sure that this is legitimate information Kudo-kun?"

"The signal might be bad, but Kaito and I prepared a password beforehand. It's a one word password, so I'm sure that this is genuine information."

"So, the question remains, what exactly is happening?" Jodie asked.

"Jodie-sensei, I don't know, but going there will clear things up," I played with my pen in hand, trying to avoid eye contact. "Another thing, before Kaito went there, we talked for a bit. He said that if he doesn't return, we should find someone to replace him for the meanwhile."

"Wait, who exactly are going to Antarctica with you?" Takagi was eager to know. "I know this may be selfish, but I'm not going to take everyone. The fewer there are, the fewer the chances of taking risks," Shinichi hesitated for a bit. He remembered James' death back at the last clash.

"Hattori, Jodie-sensei, Akai-kun, and Haibara, will you go with me?"

"Now, wait! Kudo-kun, we can help you! The police force will give you all the help that they could!" Inspector Megure exclaimed. "Thank you for the offer Inspector Megure, but it's too risky. We must be as much as possible, invisible when we go there."

"Who's the replacement?" Akai interrupted us for a few moments. The door opened and young man with brown hair entered. He was about the same age as Shinichi and his looks were similar to him, along with his serious eyes and curious grin. "I believe that's me."

"Hakuba Saguru!" Inspector Megure exclaimed at his entrance. "Oh? You're the annoying brat from before," Heiji let out. "Heiji Hattori, I'm rather shocked to see you here. I thought that this was a case for top-notch detectives only. Kudo-kun's on the way there as to with me but you're from down below, am I right?"

"Why you?" Heiji stood up and grabbed Hakuba from the collar of his purple suit. "Hattori, let him go. We have no choice. Kaito's gone, and we need all the brains we can get. Kaito said that he's our only choice."

"Kaito? Kaito Kuroba? What does he have to do with this case?"

"Eh?" Shinichi fell speechless.

It turned out the Hakuba was unaware of everything that was happening. He told the others that he was asked by a stranger to come there to help them. Stating that it will be a big case and will involve some of the country's renowned detectives, Hakuba agreed to participate in the case. Shinichi briefed Hakuba with the major details, leaving out the Kaito was Kaito Kid part and that he was Conan Edogawa.

"The Black Organization? This is the first time that I've heard of them," his eyes shifted into devious glare. "Because they're working underground. They're probably the most dangerous organization out there," Hattori stood and looked out the window of the conference room.

"You're saying that this case is potential life-threatening."

"It isn't potentially life-threatening. It is life-threatening. I'm warning you Hakuba-kun. This isn't some case. An ally of ours already died during the last stake-out. If it weren't for luck, we would be dead right now," Shinichi assured him of the consequences. "Yet you're going again to fight them. That isn't exactly smart, is it?" he replied in a mocking tone.

"It isn't, but they've gone too far. We aren't doing this for revenge. We're doing this for the greater good. Someone has to stop them."

"If you say it that way then I must accept, and what the heck, I'm interested at what we're up against," he gave off a grin afterwards.

The meeting ended there, and each went to a room given by the Police Headquarters to rest for the meanwhile. Shinichi turned the knob of the door at the second floor, and even before he could realize who were in there, Ran came running into him. "Shinichi," she whispered.

"Ran, it's okay."

"What's happening? Are they, back?" Shinichi knew that she was entirely worried. "Yes, but don't worry. They won't take you away. I won't let them."

"You're not going to after them, right?"

Shinichi remained silent and avoided to speak. Ran held his hands tighter and started crying in front of him. "I'm sorry for always going away."

Ran kissed Shinichi right then. It was short, but it was enough for Ran to convey her concern. "Where's your dad?" Shinichi asked. "He's in the other room with Professor, Mitsuhiko-kun, Genta-kun, and Ayumi-chan. Mom's also there with Sonoko."

"Everyone's safe?" Shinichi asked. "Yes, Sato-san was able to evacuate everyone after she received the call."

"Ran, I have to tell you something."

"Keep it. I trust you with my life, Shinichi. Go get them," she gave Shinichi the most heartfelt smile that he ever received. Shinichi couldn't help himself but to grab Ran into his arms, hoping to never let go.

"I'll return as fast as I can, I promise."

Shinichi pushed her forward and leaned to give her a kiss on the lips. Ran closed her eyes and followed Shinichi's movements. Ran pulled away for a second, to give way to a very tiny space in between them. "I'll count on that," she uttered slowly until her lips once more felt Shinichi's lips on top of hers.

The new day started, and to start things off, Shinichi gathered Akai, Jodie, Hattori, and Hakuba once more to discuss matters. "We're going today. I hope that's not a problem. Today's our best chance since they'll think that we'll strike in the coming days."

"It's going to be only five of us?" Hakuba asked.

"No, Haibara's coming. Where is she?"

"Sorry for being late," Haibara entered the room with all eyes on her. "Haibara?"

A young woman with brown hair walked towards the table. She had a lean figure with small hands and fragile looking arms. It was Haibara in her grown-up form. "Haibara? I'm Shiho Miyano. It's nice to finally meet you in person, Mr. High School detective, Shinichi Kudo," Haibara giggled with her big grin. "So, I finally meet the exact person who created the drug that shrunk me," Shinichi arrogantly said.

"Sherry," Akai said under his breath. Haibara looked in his direction with piercing eyes. "Sherry's dead, Rye," Haibara replied. "Oh, haven't heard someone call me Rye for quite a while now."

"Anyway, stop it. I thought you don't want to take the antidote, Haibara," Shinichi said. "A change of heart. If I'm ever going back there, I'm going like this. That way, this will be easier."

"Good, also, I think they're going to transport Kaito there."

"If he's alive," Akai proposed. "He's alive. The organization can't pass to recruit Kaito even if forced."

"Let's just hope so."

"Come on, it's time."

They left the conference hall awaited by a lot of people outside. Some were from the media while some were curious officials and officers in the headquarters. One of the by-standers said to his friend, "I wonder what case they are working on? It has to be something big! Everyone's talking about it. Ever since the explosion yesterday, the entire second floor was shut down for them, and they've been planning things there."

"Just look at them, FBI agents Jodie Starling and Akai Shuuichi, High School Detective from England Hakuba Saguru, The Great Detective of the West Heiji Hattori and of course, our very own The Great Detective of the East Shinichi Kudo! Even the girl with them looks top class. Something's happening. Too bad we're not aware of it," his partner said.

In the moments to come, Shinichi felt deep inside him that struggles would once again hinder him, but this time, he was more than ever dedicated and driven to finally defeat The Black Organization. Time was ticking on and on, soon, the curtains will draw to a finale.

Too much have been done already. It's time I put an end to this.

Author's Note: I hope you liked the chapter! The final arc of the first part starts with the next chapter! The end is near! Stay tuned everyone. The epic finale will be epic that I assure you. Remember, I promised all of you a double chapter next week so wait for it next week.

Coming Soon: Chapter 30 and 31: The Day of the Eclipse Part I & II