[Detective Conan] No Turning Back

"If you keep acting so recklessly, we'll all be exposed!" Ai Haibara had just raised a flag. Everything happened too suddenly. Even Shuichi Akai, who could always turn the tide, could only notify everyone to evacuate after dealing with Chianti. With their pursuers closing in, they retreated again and again. Darkness, exhaustion, confusion, and coldness accompanied them as Conan and Ai fled together. They nearly became enemies, yet forced themselves to hold it together in order to survive. The taut steel wire and the unbearable truth finally snapped all at once... They knew they shouldn't let themselves get distracted with a powerful enemy before them, but events kept taking unexpected turns. Friends and foes switched sides again and again, and one unforeseen development after another left the young man and woman wondering how their hearts could withstand such raging storms. "You're hesitating." "I just... haven't gotten used to it." "Hey, I'm right here. Do you want to come to my side, into my world?" "...Okay." The timeline begins after the clash between the Red and Black organizations. (Assume Movie 13 has already happened, and Shuichi knows about Shinichi.) The Akai family does not appear. Bourbon is completely innocent. No RUM, Sera, the little sister, or the second brother. Pairings: Conan/Ai, Vermouth/Ran. Don't read if these pairings bother you. Only Shuichi becomes dark, and only his scumbag qualities are expanded upon. Everyone else stays true to the original. There are no everyday-life chapters; those are all extras. A quality guarantee from Xue Di. The unusual plot ideas are beyond dispute. - All updates posted outside of 8 p.m. are revisions. Theme: Stand together through hardship; justice is the ultimate ending.