Ladies and gentlemen! I humbly welcome you to the first chapter of this story!
This chapter was edited for grammar errors and updated in style on 23-10-2022.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Magic Kaito or Detective Conan characters, the story concept is, however, my own.
As usual, I don't consider the new Magic Kaito anime canon, so in this universe Spider does not exist as a character. I'm not a native speaker and while I do try my best, there might be some grammar or style errors, feel free to comment if you see any, as it only helps me grow! In the end notes I will be adding some explanations if I use any japanese words or references to anime/manga, as well as some explanation to my recent absence.
And with all of that out of the way, it's time to start the story,
Please enjoy and review!
Kaitou KID stood quietly in the shadow of the stairwell roof. He was aware of the laughter and chatter from the now dispersing crowd on the streets below, as well as the waiting ofl of police sirens receding into the distance in their futile chase after a dummy, but chose to ignore those sounds. Instead he focused on what he could hear in closer proximity. But aside from the quiet rattling of the air duct, the peaceful breathing of the two officers sleeping right beside him and the cold wind playfully flapping his cape like a flag, he couldn't hear anything. Kaito narrowed his eyes but couldn't see anything suspicious either. Then again, he only had the faint light of the still thin, crescent moon to work with. It was barely enough for him to peer into the shadows scattered on top of the mostly barren roof and it didn't help easing his worries.
The emerald laid heavy and cold against his chest inside of his pocket, as a silent reminder of yet another successful heist. On the first glance, it didn't seem like he had anything left to do here anymore and should be on his way home. After all, Kaitou KID might have already completed his task, but Kuroba Kaito still had a test at school tomorrow that he had to prepare for.
He sighed heavily. The only thing that kept him lingering for so long was Saguru's odd behavior at school for the past couple of days. Soon after KID had announced his next heist the blonde detective started giving Kaito worried looks. No knowing smirks or snide remarks. What's more he refused to speak out his mind about what he was concerned about. And it wasn't just Kaito who noticed his odd behavior.
"Is everything alright, Hakuba-kun?" Aoko asked after a couple of days passed since the heist was announced.
Saguru, ripped from whatever was plaguing his mind, turned to her with a surprised look. "Yes of course, why do you ask?" he inquired politely.
Aoko pursued her lips, giving him a judging look. "Hakuba-kun has been acting weird these past couple of days… Is it about a troublesome case?"
He hummed thoughtfully. "It's more of a personal matter. I'm sorry but I don't really want to talk about it. It should get resolved soon anyway." He glanced at Kaito saying this, before looking back to Aoko with a polite smile. "My apologies for having you worried."
Just remembering that exchange and the calculating look Saguru gave him sent a chill down Kaito's spine. Because it was obvious that the bastard either was planning something or knew about something that was to happen during the heist. And yet… nothing happened. Neither of the young detectives made an appearance during the heist.
To make matters more complicated, Kaito was working alone during this night. Jii was away at a family gathering. To substitute for his absence, Kaito had installed cameras around the building and in its proximity. Sadly, aside from a couple of fans who tried to break into the premises he hadn't managed to detect any suspicious activity. The intruders were easily intercepted by the police not long after they entered the building anyway. The only thing he really achieved with that was losing some of the equipment to Ginzo's pre-heist sweep.
KID let out a heavy huff and stepped out into the open. Keeping an outwardly relaxed appearance, he walked over to the edge of the roof and slipped the gem out of his pocket making it seem like it appeared in his hand out of nowhere. He raised it up, allowing the feeble moonlight to seep through it and adorne his face with green specks of light. He wasn't really looking at it though, busy searching his surroundings for any movement. And nothing… He stood there, motionless, with only his cape flapping in the wind for a couple of minutes before finally casting one last glance to the emerald in his hand. With no signs of even a hint of red shining through, he finally lowered his hand and absentmindedly flicked his wrist to make the gem vanish.
As confusing as it was, it really did seem like there was no one watching him. With one last sweep of his gaze around the rooftop he took a step back and fell backwards into the open space. He snapped his glider open nearly immediately, not really in the mood for more perfomanship.
As he soared through the night sky he could only wonder what it was all about. Had Saguru just acted like he did to annoy him? Or maybe something happened that prevented the detective from fulfilling his plan? Was he alright..? Kaito glanced in the direction Hakuba's manor was and wondered about making a slight detour to check up on his classmate. But the problem was that Kaitou KID had no reason to pay him a visit. And for that matter neither did Kuroba Kaito. He probably just had to restrain his curiosity and wait for the opportunity to grill Saguru for answers at school tomorrow.
Or to simply take revenge on him with overpranking, in case Kaito didn't get satisfying answers. That would at least lift his mood if nothing else.
He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes for a moment to just savor the wind on his skin. He always enjoyed the feeling of freedom that came with flying. Arguably the best part of being KID was that he could indulge in the activity at night. Soaring in the dark sky like a dove with the wind whispering in his ears as his only companion. This high in the sky the city noise beneath him easily blended into the background.
As he relished in the sky's melody he noticed another sound, one that became louder by the minute. It was a rhythmic flapping of fabric or… wings? Before Kaito could turn around to take a glance behind him to see what was making the noise his glider suddenly jolted as if it was grabbed from above. He nearly snapped his neck as he turned to look behind and felt as if his heart stopped at the sight above him.
He wasn't wrong about feeling like something grabbed his glider. There were huge, ivory claws gripping its frame, bending the aluminum pipes with apparent ease. But what scared him more were huge wings, each many times larger than him, covered in scales that glittered like droplets of pure gold, reflecting the lights below. Kaito tore his gaze from the leathery appendages along a long neck that stretched above him, ending with a huge, triangular head. It was roughly the size of his torso and was adorned with curved horns. As he was staring, all but frozen in shock, the head moved, tilting to the side and giving him a good look of a golden eye.
And then the creature grinned, presenting its huge and sharp teeth.
"Got you~" it growled menacingly.
Kaito's hands acted before he could think, slamming on the release button, detaching himself from the captured glider and sending the magician into a freefall. Headfirst. Without a parashoot in store.
Possibly, not his best decision ever…
The creature let out something between a shriek and a roar, making Kaito look towards it again. His hat got torn off his head by the harsh wind and just a second later it bounced off the reptilian-looking creature that was nosediving after him. Getting closer with each beat of its massive wings.
Kaito felt a painful throb in his chest and quickly turned his gaze back to the fast approaching ground below him, scrambling to think. Ending as a wet goop on the apartment building roof was not a pleasant perspective. Although at the moment he wasn't sure if it wasn't better than whatever that thing behind him had in store for him. Frantically, he looked around searching for a solution. It didn't look like there was anything he could try and grab on. No larger buildings around him either. Just the one he was falling onto.
Not that he had any equipment to help him slow down his descent. Instead of the vest filled with pockets he usually wore, he had put on Kevlar, as he grimly expected the possibility of getting shot at tonight. The downside was that it severely limited how much he could carry. All he had left was some sleeping gas capsules, a flash bomb, few flowers, handkerchiefs, his faithfull card gun, some extra cards and a mask. Everything was useless now… He didn't even have his cape to try and slow down his descent.
He might have been able to save himself if he tried startling the monster by throwing the flash bomb at its eye instead of choosing to fall to his death but that was irrelevant now. Panic, lack of oxygen and general fatigue were taking their toll and made him dizzy. He felt detached from his body and was only vaguely aware of pain spreading around it. The wind gently caressed his face, as he turned his head to look in between the buildings. He was flying again, completely weightless and free. He was alone in the sky, flying home.
A beautiful dream. So much better than the cliche dark tunnel with light at the end. Vacantly, he hoped that he would get to laugh and do magic tricks with his dad again but darkness covered his mind with a heavy veil before he could even reach his room.
Kaito stirred, as he heard several pebbles hitting a window and Aoko screaming her lungs out for him to get up already. He was laying on his stomach and tried to push himself upwards with a groan, only to discover his body protesting wildly. He frowned looking at his hands. He was still in his dress shirt and a quick look confirmed that he didn't take his pants off either, though the cape, jacket and hat were missing. What's more surprising was that he was laying on the floor, right beside his bed.
He sat up, absently scratching the back of his head. Did he fall out of the bed? He did remember falling and being chased by… a dragon? Well, it's not like it was the strangest dream he ever had. He was considering getting back in bed and catching some more sleep when his stomach growled with unusual vengeance. Another rock hitting his window drew his attention, as it was followed by a very familiar and angry shout.
"Bakaito! Get up already! We're going to be late for school!"
Right… there was that too. He grimaced and hastily pulled the blanket off his bed, as he pushed himself off the floor. He covered his dress shirt with it and stepped towards the window opening it and scowled at the figure standing on his lawn. She was getting ready to throw another rock…
"Ahouko! Will you stop trying to break my window?! Have you ever heard of doorbells?!"
Her cheeks dusted red with anger as she balled up her fists. "Aoko already tried that! Kaito should-"
Having glanced at a clock beside his bed in the meantime, he ignored her further comment and waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. Wait will you? I'll be right down!"
"Hey-!" whatever she had to say, he didn't hear since he closed the window and drew the curtains, dropping the blanket.
They really didn't have much time, he thought feverishly as he fiddled with the buttons of his shirt while taking a better look around his room. There were books and his notes statchered around his desk, right where he left them to study after the heist. He winced at the thought and hoped that he would have enough time before the test to at least glance through them. Not that he really cared for his grades but he didn't want to draw any more suspicions to his person. He pulled his pants off while toeing his while shoes scanning through the rest of his room. It looked pretty much like he left it but suspiciously neither his jacket, cape nor top hat were anywhere in sight.
Had he left them in the KID room?
He could only hope so, especially that the stolen emerald apparently wasn't in his pants pockets. He walked over to the desk and packed his notes, taking them with him. As he passed the hidden stairwell, he looked down but couldn't see anything. With a shrug he threw the pants and shirt behind the poster before securing the mechanism locking the room. He would worry about that after school. With that in mind he grabbed his school uniform and rushed to the bathroom.
He didn't really have the time for a proper bath, so he just generally rinsed himself before dressing. With his backpack in hand he jumped off the stairs and ran towards the kitchen. His stomach was killing him but he couldn't afford to make himself a proper breakfast. Instead, he looked inside the refrigerator and grabbed a pack of sausages, quickly ripping it apart and wolfing down a couple of them on the spot.
With one last in his mouth, he rushed through the door, nearly colliding with Aoko.
"What took you so long, Bakaito?" she frowned at him, "Jeez, Kaito didn't even get a proper breakfast? Kaito is hopeless without Aoko, aren't you?" She rolled her eyes at his back while he locked the door.
"Tch, give me a break, will you?" he complained after he managed to swallow the food and started walking towards the school, "Watching yesterday's report on the heist gave me an idea for a trick~" he flashed a mischievous grin, while feverly thinking what he could use to make the lie believable "I had to try and make it work~"
She gave him a flat glare "So instead of sleeping, Bakaito was practicing all night?" she rolled her eyes at his widened grin, "At least Aoko hopes Bakaito didn't forget about the history test today." She snorted, hearing him groan.
"You know, you could be a good friend and at least show me your notes…" He grumbled. He knew that she usually prepared a very detailed summary of the material needed for a test. "I'll show you my new trick in return~"
She rolled her eyes and failed to hide a fond smile, as she reached into her bag and took out a sheet of papers, handing them to him. "Kaito better be grateful…"
He grinned at her happily, "You're the best~" he reached for the notes, as his stomach picked that moment to complain again. He kept his poker face, hoping she didn't notice.
She snorted. "Aoko is not giving Bakaito her lunch."
"As if I wanted it!" He stuck his tongue out and picked up his pace, "Come on, we need to hurry" especially if he wanted to look through her notes and buy something to eat before school.
"Hey! Don't run!" She rushed after him, as they both hurried towards the school.
Have you guys missed me~? As you might have suspected, I had been struggling with a few things in real life as well as a writer's block, which made it hard for me to continue my open stories. Worry not - I do intend to continue them but first, I wanted to start something new to help me combat my block. I intend to post two chapters a week, to make writing into a habit again. To make it easier, I already have a few chapters prepared, so hopefully I will succeed :-)
After I finish this story, I'll return to one of my older series to finish them.
As for now, I will be taking my leave - thank you for reading this chapter and I hope to see you in the next one~!