[fic] The Tradition: DC/MK style
These are a series of Detective Conan/Magic Kaito drabbles based around the idea of The Tradition in their world. Stealing this from Wikipedia: "In the Five Hundred Kingdoms (almost certainly a literal name), the destiny of witches, knights, princesses and such are regulated by The Tradition, a magical force that is one of the primary sources of magic. Fairy Godmothers, Champions and Wizards are responsible for ensuring that The Tradition is upheld with a minimal loss of life."
I may or may not add to these, expand on, or edit but I wanted to share them. Mostly, they are exploratory, giving me an idea of what I might want to write if I ever really do write complete short story.
Shinichi
------
Shinichi could not remember the first time that he stumbled across a body. When he cast him memory back, he could remember a number of them but could not identify the first.
But as he grew older and read from the extensive family library, he learned why he would always come across people who died by another's hand.
The Tradition.
When he first read references to The Tradition, he did not know what was being written about. But a feeling deep inside told him he would not like the answer. When he asked his father about it, Yuusaku only gave Shinichi a slightly sad smile before standing up, unlocking the safe, and pulling out an old book with no title on the cover. Silently, his father handed it to him
In a completely non-humorous way, he learned The Tradition compelled him to be there. And The Tradition compelled him to solve the murders.
In regards to the second part, he had no qualms. His own personal code would not allow him to let a murderer slip away.
But his wished more than once he could resist the compulsion to go where The Tradition wished him to go. He wanted to spend quality time with Ran. He wanted to enjoy life without having bodies thrown at him any time It wished to.
He tried to resist. During those times, there was no doubt The Tradition did not like his resistance. He could feel the power coil around him, almost suffocatingly. The further Shinichi walked from where It wanted him, the more would happen to stop him from walking away, traffic jams, abrupt shop closures, and (his least favorite) gas leaks.
While it grated him to give into It, he refused to be responsible for any injuries brought upon others because he would not yield.
The day The Tradition “encouraged” him to follow the man in black, he thought that he might actually stop a murder from happening. Instead, it forced a new roll on him. The roll of the Transformed.
The upside was that he actually remained human. The downside was that he was a child.
That he somehow managed to acquire a group of helpers, in the form of Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta, should not have been a surprise. It really should not have. There was a long tradition of 'helpers' in his line of work. It was just a little odd to acquire them after his transformation.
And what it liked to do to Ran infuriated Shinichi. The Tradition would take a strong, capable, young woman and force her into the roll of Damsel-in-Distress. Shinichi hated to see Ran forced into the roll. It did not suit her.
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Ran
--------
Ran flopped down on her bed and stared absently at the ceiling. With a frustrated moan, she rolled over and buried her face in the pillow. It happened again! She froze at that critical moment and ended up being the one in danger.
Why couldn't she use her karate? She punched the pillow. The shame nearly drowned her. If she really was that helpless, then she did not feel she deserved the title she won earlier that year.
But there were times when she was in the right place at the right time. Usually when Conan-kun needed help. She smiled fondly at the thought of the boy. He was too sharp for his own good and needed someone (or multiple someones on some days) to look out for him.
But, she realized, she felt protected around him. Like someone had sent her a little guardian spirit to comfort and watch over her while her dearest person (which she admitted to no one) was away.
-------------------------------------------------
Kaito
----------
The day Kaito found his father's 'other workshop,' he was a surprised. As he explored, he learned what his father really did. And why.
'Being a Wizard,' Kaito reflected, 'Is not boring. Tedious and dangerous, yes. And downright fun, at times.' He chuckled silently from his perch in the rafters as the police ran around, looking for Kaitou Kid. He knew that in a moment, one officer would look up. It was Traditional after all. And he would oblige It, in this case.
Kaito knew he could not not meddle. The Tradition loves happy endings as much as tragedies. He knew he had to open the path at the museum tonight. No one would know what he prevented and he offered another path for It to follow.
I may or may not add to these, expand on, or edit but I wanted to share them. Mostly, they are exploratory, giving me an idea of what I might want to write if I ever really do write complete short story.
Shinichi
------
Shinichi could not remember the first time that he stumbled across a body. When he cast him memory back, he could remember a number of them but could not identify the first.
But as he grew older and read from the extensive family library, he learned why he would always come across people who died by another's hand.
The Tradition.
When he first read references to The Tradition, he did not know what was being written about. But a feeling deep inside told him he would not like the answer. When he asked his father about it, Yuusaku only gave Shinichi a slightly sad smile before standing up, unlocking the safe, and pulling out an old book with no title on the cover. Silently, his father handed it to him
In a completely non-humorous way, he learned The Tradition compelled him to be there. And The Tradition compelled him to solve the murders.
In regards to the second part, he had no qualms. His own personal code would not allow him to let a murderer slip away.
But his wished more than once he could resist the compulsion to go where The Tradition wished him to go. He wanted to spend quality time with Ran. He wanted to enjoy life without having bodies thrown at him any time It wished to.
He tried to resist. During those times, there was no doubt The Tradition did not like his resistance. He could feel the power coil around him, almost suffocatingly. The further Shinichi walked from where It wanted him, the more would happen to stop him from walking away, traffic jams, abrupt shop closures, and (his least favorite) gas leaks.
While it grated him to give into It, he refused to be responsible for any injuries brought upon others because he would not yield.
The day The Tradition “encouraged” him to follow the man in black, he thought that he might actually stop a murder from happening. Instead, it forced a new roll on him. The roll of the Transformed.
The upside was that he actually remained human. The downside was that he was a child.
That he somehow managed to acquire a group of helpers, in the form of Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta, should not have been a surprise. It really should not have. There was a long tradition of 'helpers' in his line of work. It was just a little odd to acquire them after his transformation.
And what it liked to do to Ran infuriated Shinichi. The Tradition would take a strong, capable, young woman and force her into the roll of Damsel-in-Distress. Shinichi hated to see Ran forced into the roll. It did not suit her.
----------------------------------------------------
Ran
--------
Ran flopped down on her bed and stared absently at the ceiling. With a frustrated moan, she rolled over and buried her face in the pillow. It happened again! She froze at that critical moment and ended up being the one in danger.
Why couldn't she use her karate? She punched the pillow. The shame nearly drowned her. If she really was that helpless, then she did not feel she deserved the title she won earlier that year.
But there were times when she was in the right place at the right time. Usually when Conan-kun needed help. She smiled fondly at the thought of the boy. He was too sharp for his own good and needed someone (or multiple someones on some days) to look out for him.
But, she realized, she felt protected around him. Like someone had sent her a little guardian spirit to comfort and watch over her while her dearest person (which she admitted to no one) was away.
-------------------------------------------------
Kaito
----------
The day Kaito found his father's 'other workshop,' he was a surprised. As he explored, he learned what his father really did. And why.
'Being a Wizard,' Kaito reflected, 'Is not boring. Tedious and dangerous, yes. And downright fun, at times.' He chuckled silently from his perch in the rafters as the police ran around, looking for Kaitou Kid. He knew that in a moment, one officer would look up. It was Traditional after all. And he would oblige It, in this case.
Kaito knew he could not not meddle. The Tradition loves happy endings as much as tragedies. He knew he had to open the path at the museum tonight. No one would know what he prevented and he offered another path for It to follow.