24 Chapter 23: Strength or appearance

Hearing Ai suddenly says something all peoples attention shifts to her. ''... I didn't know that you were Shinichi when I started living here... But now that I know I can hand give you one of two ways to prove that I am trustworthy...'' Ai states, taking a pill bottle containing two pills out.

Looking at Conan expectancy she explains. ''... One is APTX 5000, the other APTX 6879B. APTX 6879B is an antidote for APTX 6879A the drug Gin gave Conan. I was able to synthesize it by researching my ability in depth.''

''What does APTX 5000 do?'' Asks Erin still not convinced of the former scientist turned little girl.

'' APTX 5000 is the latest drug development by the organization. It is called Übermensch a German term for Superhuman. From what I can tell it interacts with other drugs of the APTX series by unlocking the full potential of the host's genes.'' Ai explains.

Remembering a popular comic series from the boy's memories, Conan comments. ''Sounds to me a little bit too much like the X-Men.''

''I don't know about the X-Men, but if the comparison helps you to understand what I am trying to tell you, so be it.'' Says Ai, a bit dejected that nobody seems to get what she is telling them.

''How are these two drugs able to prove that they can trust you?'' Asks Agasa, still eying Erin angry.

''I think I get your point Ai. If someone of us takes the APTX 5000 and gains a superpower, you told us the truth about the drug and we would be forced to give at least some trust to you...'' Conan says, continuing after staring into His eyes. ''... Same goes for me taking your APTX 6879B. If I transform back into my original age, we also would have to trust you to some degree. Am I right?''

''You are indeed correct...'' States Ai, surprised that Conan got that right.

''Than I think Conan should take both pills. Having a boyfriend my age that has a superpower would be awesome!'' Says Ran interrupting Ai, while fist bumping the air above her head.

''Conan cannot take both poisons. I am already not sure if he is able to survive to take ATPX 5000 considering him already having two drugs permanently in his system...'' Tells Ai-Ran, before further explaining her statement. ''... ATPX 6879B should be harmless to him considering it only targets the ATPX 6879 already in his system.''

''I would prefer nobody take any pills. I wouldn't be surprised if both are fast acting poison.'' Comments Erin, not letting go of her distrust an suspicion of Ai.

While the woman and Agasa are having a heated discussion, Conan is already deeply thinking about his current predicament. On the one side getting an all-around mature body would be great for satisfying his woman, current and future ones, on the other side having superpowers would inevitably come in handy when defending them.

-What to do what to do? Dam you bad guys for forcing me into this situation. If only you wouldn't have poisoned that Shinichi guy...-

Going through all possibilities, while consulting his knowledge of the manga, he can clearly see the benefits that taking APTX 5000 would give him. At the same time, he has his selfish desire to be a fully mature man once again and not to be underestimated or forgotten the potential of dying by taking one of the pills. The potential of death coming from as Ai told him the intake of APTX 5000 or as Erin said it both pills is pure poison.

''Is there another way to get the original APTX 6879 out of my system?...'' Asks Conan all of a sudden stopping the discussion in its tracks. ''... I mean I will most likely age and mature with time don't I?''

''Sorry that I don't know since I don't have any long time studies regarding the influence of the drug over time...'' Explains Ai before drifting off into pure speculation. ''... I would guess that without taking APTX 6879B you will forever keep your current looks.''

''That's what I thought.'' Tells Conan more to himself than to the rest.

''Is it possible to modify APTX 6879...'' Asks Erin, seeing her lover and daughter already considering one of Ais drugs. ''... What I mean to say is can you create a version of APTX 6879 that would take let's say for 10 to 15 years of an aged body like mine?''

''Mom what are you saying?'' Asks Ran already blushing thinking about her mother looking like a 21-year-old.

''If I have a place to stay and a state of the art laboratory, as well as the resources, I might be able to.'' Tells A while showing open honesty to Erin.

''Done, but you have to fulfill one condition first!'' Says Erin, aware of the honesty that Ai is showing her and also considering that Ai had helped them in the past.

''Mom don't think what I think you are saying!'' Says Ran panicked jumping up from the sofa.

''Somehow you guys have lost me somewhere after the question of trust...'' Says Agasa, while looking at the clock. ''... Ah, it is already too late, gonna go. See you guys!''

-Bastard runs away the moment woman begin to argue.- Thinks Conan, already seeing the old man leave through the front door.

''What condition?'' Asks Ai, curious what that distrusting and ever suspicious woman could demand from her. Considering the alternative of staying with that old lolicon next door, Ai is ready to fulfill nearly any possible demand except prostitution.

''I want you to also become Conan's lover. No woman can ever betray herself.'' Says Erin, smiling evil at Ai.

Considering the alternative Ai says nodding. ''Deal, but before I have sex with him he first has to be able to seduce me.''

''Deal!'' Says Erin, while Ran is helplessly handing it to her mother to decide that Ai is joining the harem.

''Wait for what?'' Conan suddenly says, after having come to a decision regarding taking APTX 5000 or APTX 6879B. Like Agasa before him, he was unable to follow the woman's conversation and only heard bits and pieces like Erin asking Ai for a modified drug version to become younger or the decision of having Ai join his harem.

Looking at Ai as she is right now, cold sweat runs down his back. -Don't make me a pedophile!-

''Don't be distracted by the small details darling. I am sure Ai will accommodate your tastes by transforming herself into Shiho when the time comes.'' Says Ran with a naughty smile on her face.

''Ah... What about the pills?...''Asks Ai, still holding the pill bottle in her outstretched small hand. ''... Does anybody want to try?''

''I will!'' Declares Conan all of a sudden.

''APTX 6879? It's the smaller one.'' Tells him Ai while towing him the bottle.

Opening the bottle Conan removes the bigger pill saying. ''... No. I prefer the strength to protect my woman instead of just looking good at their side.''

Swallowing the APTX 5000 the moment he said that, Conan suddenly feels his head spin, view narrow and his mind clear. Losing control over his body he just collapses onto the floor like a puppet that had its threads cut all of a sudden.

Losing any and all contact with the physical realm, his consciousness connects to something bigger than himself. The no words can accurately describe this thing beyond comprehension. Was Conan at that moment forced to describe it he would say that 'it is an elaborate energy field creating and connecting all living things, surrounding everything, penetrating everybody and even binding the very fabric of the universe together'.