A New Beginning

Shinichi wasn't one to deny the truth. His whole life had been a search for truth. Even though the truth was harsh and often unpleasent, he still accepted it.

But this, this was to much.

He loved Ayumi. He wanted to stay as Conan and grow up with her.

He loved Ran. He wanted to become Shinichi again and tell her how much he loved her face to face.

Shinich knew that the right thing to do was become his old self again. Conan Edogawa was a lie. Yet he was a lie that brought joy to a young girl's heart.

And what about Ran? She would miss her little brother terribly.

But he had to become Shinichi. He couldn't stand seeing her crying at night over him any longer.

Ayumi would cry when she found out Conan was gone.

It was maddening. He never thought he could feel this torn. He wanted to live both lives. He wanted to be there for both of the wonderful women in his life.

He didn't want either of them to cry.

As Haibara handed him a glass of water along with the antidote, Shinichi frantically went over everything he stood to gain. And to lose.

He swallowed the pill along with the water.

Pain. Eating him alive. It had never been this bad. It felt like he was being torn in half.

He passed into blessed unconsciousness, his last thoughts a final goodby to his second childhood.

When he awoke it took a few minutes until the pain stopped. His body felt raw.

When he opened his eyes the first thing he noticed was that he was still Conan. He still had his childs body.

The next thing to catch his attention was the man laying next to him.

Shinichi Kudo.

Haibara would later tell them that she had no idea how it happened. The chances that this could happen were a trillion to one.

Cellular cloning was only a theory, but it seemed to be the only one that fit. Shinichi Kudo and Conan Edogawa were now two different people.

Of course, this was great news to the two detectives. Now nobody had to be hurt. Conan could grow up with Ayumi and Shinichi could confess his love to Ran.

Both agreed to never tell anyone that they had once been one. They would always interact as if they were two different people, which they were.

Haibara congradulated them. She had decided to remain Ai forever. Unlike Shinichi, she had nothing in her old life worth going back to.

After a quick change of clothes Conan and Shinichi walked back to the detective agency. They could have easily been mistaken for relatives.

Ran was shocked then happy then angry then happy again when she saw Shinichi. She started to speak, but he silenced her with a kiss.

"Ran, I love you. You're my whole world. I'm so sorry I've hurt you. But if you'll give me another chance, I'll try to make it up to you. So am I forgiven?"

She was taken aback. Had she really heard what she thought she heard?

As both detectives walked inside, Conan went to call Ayumi.

It was a new day.

A new beginning for love.

Ran did eventually marry Shinichi. Ayumi and Conan were both at the wedding. She asked him when he was going to marry her, causing him to nearly faint.

Later, Ayumi and Conan got to hold Shinichi and Ran's first child. They named him Conan.

Years later Ayumi's dream came true. He father walked her down the aisle at her wedding to Conan. Ran and Shinichi, Genta and Mitsuhiko, her mother, Ai. Everyone was there to wish the young couple the best of luck.

It was a happy ending for four people who really deserved it.

The End