Case Closed Fan Fiction ❯ The Detective Prince ❯ The Unexpected ( Chapter 42 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Detective Prince
Chapter 42
The Unexpected

All was rested to the mind, drifting away into a deep sleep with each passing second. It ringed clear too his ear, startling him ever so slightly. He tiresly looked too his side, reaching over and grabbing the phone while rolling too his back.

"Hello." Conan softly spoke.

"Thank goodness you answered, I have a favor to ask."

"Tim, is that you," Conan asked sitting up in bed. "Why did your number ring up as unknown?"

"Never mind that," Red Robin said. "Where are you now?"

"Trying to get some sleep," Conan replied with a yawn. "What took you so long to call anyway?"

"Been busy."

"How's Sonoko doing?" Conan asked with a tone change in his voice.

"I don't even have time to go there," Red Robin said. "What I need is for you to head to the base, I'm in a bit of a situation."

"How does me going to the base help you?"

"Just do it, times running short."

"Sounds like you've really put yourself in a hole this time," Conan said removing the sheets from over himself. "I'm on my way now."

He dropped down from the bed, finding a pair of clothes to slip into before opening the door. All the lights were off to the next room, the TV being the only source of light.

"We have a little problem." Conan whispered.

"What's wrong?"

"Ran hasn't gone too her room yet." Conan replied.

"Is she awake?"

Conan gave her a long hard look, watching as her head slightly repositioned from where it lay to the table.

"I'd say she's half way out." Conan finally answered.

"Good, you should be able to sneak right past."

"What if she wakes up?" Conan questioned.

"Then shoot her with your stun gun," Red Robin replied. "That will assure she stays put."

"Are you insane?!" Conan said raising his voice just a tad.

"Relax, I was only kidding," Red Robin said laughingly. "Call me back when you get there, gotta go."

"That was not funny." Conan said ending the transition.

With that he put the phone too his pocket, quietly making his way toward the front door. He stopped at the sudden shift of her left hand, waiting a few extra before continuing on. Once clear he slowly turned the knob to the door, taking a deep breath as he stepped out in success.

"That was close," Conan said closing the door behind. "I thought for sure she was going to awake."

He paced himself on the way down the stairs, not wanting to alarm anyone of his departure.

The sound of the doors plowing open to the floor below could be heard, the two knowing they were coming their way.

"Who was that you were talking with?"

"Another friend," Red Robin replied. "We don't have much time, is there another way out besides back tracking from where we came?"

"Each temple has a few hidden rooms, but I'm afraid I can't pin point any of them," Makoto replied. "That was something Sensei Karu always kept too himself."  

"Guess that leaves us with one way out."

There was nowhere to hide, and running up to the next floor would only delay what they knew what they had to do.

"Are you ready?"

"Let's make this quick." Red Robin replied pulling his staff too his side.

The sound of them running got louder with each passing second, both standing ready as the armed men came barging into the room. They all were dressed in casual clothing, each carrying a different type of firearm.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a little company." One of them said flashing a light over.

"This must be the Grandmaster we heard so much about," Another said pointing a gun his way. "All that karate stuff don't mean nothing, if you can't dodge a bullet."

Confused by their statement, Makoto looked too his side to find Red Robin was nowhere to be seen.

"Whatever he's planning, he better make it quick."

"So what do you say," He remarked approaching with his finger to the trigger. "Think you can dodge a bullet."

"What do you think?" Makoto asked playing along.

"I think if you don't hand over the Gueto we're going to have test that out."

"Never heard of it."

"So now you want to play the smart guy, bad move," He said pointing the gun to his head. "Wanna try again?"

Makoto responded using his instincts, knocking the weapon from his hand while flipping him too the ground. This was the perfect opportunity, the moment. He dropped down from the ceiling with the toss of a few birdrangs, knocking away a few of their weapons.

"Fire!!"

Makoto and Red Robin both jumped to separate sides of the room, figuring out what their next move was to be.    

"Five of them are still armed, gotta take them down before the others can get back to their weapons."

He leaped forward with the extention of his staff, Makoto with a fast approach to the other side to keep their eyes busy at who to choose. This resulted in slight hesitation, working into their advantage. Makoto landed a cold strike to the neck, glimpsing over to see Red Robin take two more down with a powerful spinning jump kick.

"Enough, kill the masked man first then we'll worry about the..!" He yelled receiving a smashing blow to the skull.

Red Robin then swung his staff just past Makoto's face, knocking two more of the gunmen to the ground.

"Move, now!" Red Robin instructed throwing a smoke bomb to the ground.

Makoto followed close too his side, the two of them taking this time to head to the next floor. Neither looked back as they made their way up, what to do next weighing high.

"Why are we running," Makoto questioned. "We had the advantage."

"Three of them got ahold of their guns, don't think I could have disarmed them quick enough," Red Robin stated. "And with you not having any kind of protective armor I didn't want to risk it."

They came to a stop once reaching the next floor, tightly closing and locking the door.

"That should slow them down."

"But for how long?" Makoto questioned.

The two of them jumped, startled at the sound of something crashing through the window from behind. They turned around to see him flip to his feet.

"Air glider, never leave home without it."

"Nightwing," Red Robin said pleased to see him. "Didn't expect you to arrive so fast."

"Have I missed anything," Nightwing asked walking over. "And who is this with you, I thought you were alone."

"His names Makoto Kyogoku," Red Robin replied. "A very formidable martial artists."

"So I take it you two know each other." Makoto said looking from one to the other.

A loud slam could be heard from the other side of the door, followed by another.

"Looks like they're back for more." Red Robin said.

"How many are we talking?" Nightwing asked.

"There was eleven when we began," Makoto informed. "Red Robin and I were able to take a few of them down, there's no telling how many of them are still active."

"Let's keep moving," Red Robin said. "We still have to buy a little more time."

"You have a plan?" Nightwing asked.

"Kind of," Red Robin replied directing his attention too Makoto. "How many more floors until we reach the top."

"Exactly two more."

"Then let's hurry, I don't think that doors going to hold up much longer."

Once again they ran to the next floor, locking it on their way to the final level. The last room was different than the others, several weapons could be found strapped across the wall. This ranged from swords to unique designed shurikens. Most decorating of all was the painting of the sky that filled the ceiling.

"Where are we?" Nightwing questioned.

"The armory," Makoto replied grabbing hold of a table next to the wall. "Help me lift this to the door."

"Good idea, that should buy us a little extra needed time." Nightwing said in compliance.

With the strength of the two of them combined, they stashed the table to the door, taking a step back after it was securely in place. They could hear them bagging on the door to the floor below, time running short with each passing second.

"So what's the plan?" Nightwing asked looking to Red Robin who leaned up against wall.

He didn't reply, keeping his sights set to the ground. Makoto and Nightwing looked to one another, a little taken back by this.

"I thought you said you had a plan."

"I do," Red Robin said. "I'm just waiting for the call."

"What call," Nightwing questioned. "We don't have time to just sit around."

"Trust me," Red Robin said. "If all goes well we'll have all that we need to take control of the situation."

"How do we know that?" Makoto asked.

"I planted a little something to one of the walls on the second floor," Red Robin replied. "It's signal is linked too my computer."

"How does that help us," Makoto asked. "Your computer isn't even here."

"Kudo better hurry, the times ticking."

The sound of them breaking into the room below could be heard, listening on to the sound of them trotting along up the stairs.

"We're down to our last line of defense," Nightwing said. "I think it's time we had a change in strategy."

"What did you have in mind?" Makoto asked.

"I'm still working on that." Nightwing replied looking around the room.

Whatever they were to do it had to be fast, they were closing in with every moment that past. The standing armor to the back corner of the room caught his attention. Could it be used as a distraction? It sparked much tension to the room, the sound of them hitting to the other side of the door.

"Whatever it is you have planned, nows the time to let us in on it," Makoto said. "They're here."

All it took was a few good hits, plowing the door open with the use of their weapons. They kicked the table to the side while entering the room, the shadowed figure being the first thing coming to their attention.

"There he is!!"

They opened fire on the spot, only taking them a few seconds to realize what they were shooting at.

"It's a decoy," One said looking to the falling armor.

"And to think you fellas fell for it." Nightwing said jumping down to trip two of them to the ground.

"Who's this guy, I thought there was only two of them!"

"No matter," Another said. "They will all share the same fate."

Makoto yanked a boomerang from the wall from where he stood, slinging it over to successfully disarm three men. Red Robin finished up the assault by whacking the three of them to the ground.

"That leaves five more."

"Kyogoku think fast." Nightwing said tossing something his way.

Makoto caught it into his hand, watching as a gas surfaced in the following seconds. He placed the mask too his face to keep from breathing in whatever was to the air, watching as Nightwing and Red Robin finished off the remaining gunmen. It didn't take long for the gas to clear from the room, the three of them removing the gas masks.

"What was that?" Makoto asked.

"Tear gas," Nightwing replied. "I'd say it did the trick."  

The sound of something driving near could be heard from outside the window. Curious to see what it was, the three walked over to have a look.

"Looks like we have some more company." Makoto said.

"And they're driving the same types of trucks as the other guys did." Red Robin added.

"Four trucks in all," Nightwing said counting them off. "There's no telling how many of them there are."

"Makes you wonder what's so important about that diamond." Makoto said.

It couldn't have happened at a more opportune time, hearing the codec ring too his cowl.

"Good timing, didn't expect you there so quick."

"I used my turbo enhanced skateboard," Conan informed. "What is it you wanted me to do?"

"Are you on the computer?"

"Can't get in," Conan said. "It requires a password."

"You already know the password."

"No I don't."

"Oh yes you do."

A few seconds was all that it took, remembering exactly what it was.

"Ok, I'm in," Conan said. "Now what?"

"There should be an alert to the side of the screen," Red Robin said. "I need you to click on it."

Conan did as instructed, watching as a layout of some kind came to the screen.

"What is this?"

"The red dot you can see is me," Red Robin said. "We're in a bit of a situation."

"What do you want me to do?"

"We need another way out," Red Robin informed. "Makoto said this place has a few hidden rooms, is there possibly one nearby?"

"Makoto," Conan question. "You mean to tell me you're with Makoto Kyogoku?"

"It's a long story."

He took a few moments to make sense of it all, this wasn't a type of blueprint he was used to dealing with.

"Try pushing down to the wall to the left of you," Conan said. "From the readings I'm getting it looks to be hallow, a little passage way which should take you to the roof."

"Thanks Shinichi, we'll give it a go."

Once finished he looked back to the others who had their sights set out the window. He made his way over to see what the situation was, glimpsing down to see the newcomers loading up on ammunition.

"There's thirty in all." Nightwing informed.

"Good thing is we don't have to engage them," Red Robin said. "If we head to the roof we could make our way to the top of one of the other temples."

"This window is much to small," Makoto said. "How do you propose we get to the roof from here?"

"Through that wall." Red Robin pointed.

It streamed loud from the distance, the three of them ducking down at the sound of shots being fired.

"You think they saw us?" Makoto asked.

"Not sure," Nightwing replied. "Sounded like the shots were fired from a good distance away."

Everything became dead silent after several rounds were fired, the three of them slowly peaking up to have a look. What they saw left them stunned, the bodies of all thirty men laid out to the ground, motionless. They couldn't find words to express what to feel, Red Robin catching sight of someone kneeling to a large hill afar. Using his cowl he zoomed in, receiving a thumbs up by the shooter who held the rifle tightly too his side.

"No... it can't be."

"What's wrong?" Nightwing asked noticing the disturbance too his face.

"It was him," Red Robin said looking directly into his eyes. "It was Deadshot."

"Deadshot," Nightwing questioned looking to the far distance. "..I don't see anyone."

Red Robin brought his attention back to the hill, he was gone. A small emptiness came over him, feeling as if it had all been some allusion. And just like so many other nights, more questions were left than answers. What was so important about the diamond? Why had Deadshot killed those men, was it in attempt to aid them?

"What happens from here?" Makoto asked.

"You stay here and call the police," Nightwing replied. "I think they better come down and have a look at all of this."

"Of course."

"When they arrive just tell them you came across this whole mess," Nightwing said. "The truth might be a little too much for them to handle at this point."

"What about the two of you?"

"The night's young, and we still have a lot of work to do," Nightwing replied. "We'll be sure to find you if we need anything."

Makoto nodded, standing aside as the two made their way out. He took a step forward, something that had been to his mind since the journey here.

"Wait, back there you didn't give it your all, did you?"

He stopped in his tracks, looking back too him for a last time.

"What do you mean?"

"Back on the roof," Makoto continued. "You weren't trying against me."

"Of course not," Red Robin said with a smile. "We're on the same side."

"I want you to promise me two things." Makoto said.

"Go ahead."

"That diamond given to you is important too my Sensei, be sure you take good care of it,"

"Like I said before, I'll have it back too you as soon as this is all over."

"And next time we meet... don't hold back."

Red Robin nodded.

"Will do," Red Robin said turning to walk once more. "Until then, Kyogoku."

He had done just as planned, telling the police what he had come upon arriving too Royal Mountain. It was the story to the front page that next morning, most news channels covering it as well. They had accomplished what they set out to do, meeting to the forest like they had the previous day.

"Glad I was able to help."

"And we were happy to have your assistance Heiji." Dick said in response.

"The train back too Tokyo leaves in about an hour," Tim said looking too his watch. "What of yours?"

"Don't have to head to the station for at least for another two," Heiji replied. "The train too Osaka doesn't depart until four."

"Hopefully we'll see you again, and soon." Dick said.

"You can count on it," Heiji said. "Give everyone my best."

"We will," Tim said. "You be sure to do the same."

With that they parted ways. They made it to the train station within the next thirty, Dick tapping him to the shoulder as they made their way down to the waiting area.

"It's going to be a long ride back, that should give us plenty of time to really catch up on some things."

"Is this before or after I'm done getting scolded?" Tim asked.

"What are you talking about," Dick asked with a laugh. "Why would I scold you?"

"I wasn't referring too you."

They touched down from the last step, everything becoming clear after seeing her sitting too one of the benches. She immediately noticed them, glaring as they approached.

"Oh I see," Dick said giving him a nudge. "Isn't that, that girl you have a few classes with?"

"Yep."

"Didn't know you brought her along," Dick said. "She looks peeved, did you do something to make her angry?"

"Yep."

Not another word was spoken, bracing himself for what she was going to say.

"So this is why you didn't show up last night," Sonoko said standing up too him. "You have a good time with big brother?"

"Look, I'm sorry," Tim explained. "The meeting turned out to be a lot longer than I thought."

"Why do I get the feeling there was no meeting," Sonoko questioned while looking too Dick. "Were you there as well?"

"I had no knowledge of any kind of meeting." Dick replied not wanting to get involved.

Tim gulped, knowing this wasn't going to end well. She continued to mouth him off all the way up until they boarded, Tim taking a seat to the far back just like any other time. Dick sat directly across, reading the paper he had received earlier that morning.

"And to make matters worse, Makoto had to leave the party to attend a meeting as well," Sonoko ravaged on. "What's up with you boys and your meetings anyway, I swear that trend of excuse has risen in the past month."

"I'm sure it was important," Tim said. "Kyogoku not the kind of guy who just leaves unless it's important."

"Or it's the fact he's been talking with you too much," Sonoko declared. "Who's to say the two of you didn't go out for a little guy time?"

"We'd never do that." Tim said.

"I'm done talking with you on the matter," Sonoko said turning away. "I'll just sit with him, he couldn't possibly be as annoying as you."

Dick kept steady from where he sat, keeping his eyes to the paper with a flip of the page. Sonoko sat to the seat directly next too him, doing the best she could to calm her nerves.

"Hope you don't mind a little company."

"Not at all," Dick said looking up from the paper. "Sorry about Tim giving you such a hard time, he has a hard time communicating with others in certain situations."

"Why's that?"

"Good question," Dick said. "But let's not talk about that."

"Ok, then what would you like to talk about?"

"How about you," Dick said. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself, what do you like to do?"

He could hear the mention of his name from time to time as they talked, slouching back into his seat with the shake of his head.

"Why is it I'm always made out to be the bad guy?" Tim thought with the close of his eyes.

The train took off shortly after. He listened to the wheels pouncing down to the track, feeling himself fading throughout the hour. He had kept too himself for most of the ride, occasionally glimpsing out the window to view the scenery. They arrived back too Tokyo hours later,  finding the sky to be darkened by the clouds that populated it. He had managed to slip away as they without either noticing, locating a bus stop which happened to be across the street from where he was.

"I might get an ear full later for doing this, but I think I've had enough excitement for one trip."

He remained silent throughout the bus ride, reaching his destination after a good twenty minutes. The clouds continued to darken as he walked through the forest, stopping once coming upon the hidden base to the ground. He jumped in with the top closing overhead, walking over with the entrance door sliding open.

"What are you doing here?" Tim asked in surprise.

Conan laid back in the chair with his hands rested too his head, a striking proud look too his face.  

"Oh hey Tim," Conan said looking his way. "Didn't expect you here so quick, thought you'd go too your apartment first."

"That did cross my mind, but decided to come here first," Tim said. "I assume Heiji called and told you I was on my way back, but what are you doing here?"

"Playing a little online chess." Conan said with a sinister look and rub of the hands.

"Ok, now that was just creepy," Tim said coming too his side. "Who are you playing anyway?"

"Someone challenged me from your friends list," Conan informed. "I've won three straight, and it's about to be four.... he has no way out."

They waited for the next move to be made, each second more intense then the last. An instant message appeared to the screen, Both looking to see what it read. "get a life outside the comp, u cheating spiky haired hacking no good geeking newb." With that the username dropped from the side of the screen. Conan crossed his arms with Tim laughing out to the side of him.

"What a sore loser," Conan pouted. "And to top it off, I don't even get my well earned points."

"At least you didn't lose," Tim said continuing to laugh. "I wouldn't have heard the end of it."

"Who was it I was playing?" Conan asked.

"A really good friend of mine, Bart Allen," Tim replied. "He probably thought you were me."

"I see he's not much of a fan when it comes to losing," Conan said. "But then who is?"

"Good point," Tim said. "I'm pretty sure you didn't come looking for a game of chess, so what brought you here?"

Conan leaned up in the seat, tossing an article in the paper up too him. Tim gave it a quick read, looking down too Conan once finished.

"The city plans to auction off a rare black pearl, what now does this have to do with anything?"

"Nakamori Ginzo has been present up at the station for the past few day." Conan informed.

"Nakamori..," Tim questioned. "I've heard that name somewhere."

"Of course you have, that's Aoko's last name," Conan reminded. "And Ginzo is her father, who just happens to be one of the top guys trying to trap and capture Kaitou Kid."

"I see," Tim said. "So you think this whole pearl bit is to try and spring him out?"

"Not just him, but probably you as well," Conan said. "With the speculation of you two working together it's not to far fetched that they may be hoping to catch you both."

"Two birds with one stone."

"You'd better let Dick know as well, I'm almost positive they have increased security throughout the city."

"Nice little deduction Shinichi, I'm impressed," Tim complimented. "Speaking of which, I'm due to have another meeting with Megure pretty soon here."

"Not to turn gears or anything, but I'm still wondering about your trip too Fukuoka," Conan said. "I had no idea Makoto was going to be there."

"It's a long story."

"Does he know you and Red Robin are one in the same?"

"No, he has no knowledge of that," Tim replied. "Believe it or not, teaming with Kyogoku wasn't the most surprising thing to occur."

"Can't wait to hear this."

"Deadshot was there," Tim informed. "He killed a group of men we got in a little scuffle with."

"You mean at the Royal Mountain," Conan asked flipping through the paper once more. "I read about it this morning, so he was the one to kill those thirty men?"

"That right, but how he was able to find us and why is still a mystery in itself."

Conan dropped down, kicking the soccer ball that lay to the side of the chair into his arms.

"Where's Dick," Conan asked. "I thought he'd be with you."

"Let's just say he was a little occupied when we arrived back," Tim replied. "I'm sure we'll see him tomorrow some time."

"Occupied, what do you mean?"

"We'll save that for another time," Tim said patting him to the shoulder. "I have some things I need to do, but we'll hook up some time tomorrow."

He nodded, heading for the exit while balancing the ball from one foot to the other. It came storming back too him, remembering a certain suggestion he had to make.

"Oh, and Tim," Conan said turning back. "One last thing."

"What is it?"

"About that password... you really need to change it."

"Is that all?"

"No other complaints." Conan replied.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Conan smiled at this, walking out  while continuing to juggle the ball through the air.

"I love that password."

To Be Continued





Converting /tmp/phpCYaJFo to /dev/stdout