Chapter Text
Poe glanced over at his rival as the man walked enthusiastically down the street, swinging his arms and humming a tune.
Soon, he was looking at the pavement. Why would Ranpo want me of all people to take him to the shop? Of course, I am not ungrateful, but- he paused, Oh, he must want me to buy the entire place out again. No matter, if my dear Ranpo is happy, then I am as well.
"Whatcha thinkin' about behind all that hair, Ed?" Ranpo joked with a goofy grin.
"Oh, nothing in particular, Ranp-" Poe's eyes widened and he reached for his book, but he was far too late.
A bright golden light enveloped them, kanji emanating from its mystical hue. Poe suddenly felt as if he were falling. Beside him, Ranpo smiled with what could only be described as pure and utter excitement.
Before Poe could think of a way to get out of this, he was face-first on some far, back-alley concrete.
Atop of the shaded buildings shone weak, yet defined neon light, its source unseen.
Other than the soft glow highlighting the peaks of unfamiliar structures, noise and minimal streaks of light from a small entrance into the alley were all that eased into the dark mass around them. Their comfort, however, was distanced from the otherworldly pair.
"Auwww..." he groaned.
Ranpo laughed, somehow still standing, "Is this an ability or a mid-life crisis?"
Poe's lips pursed as he pushed himself to his feet, "I am fine, dear Ranpo."
"Good, 'cause I can't fight and I'm screwed without you." He placed his hands on his hips with a cackle, before he turned and looked out of the one exit of the dimly-lit, suffocating dead-end, which was too far from their position for it to soothe Poe's tension.
Poe brushed off his clothes and hunched over as he typically did, "Do you know where we are? That was undoubtedly an ability, but I've never seen a place like this before." He glanced out, "This is similar to my ability, but it isn't mine."
Ranpo placed his glasses on his face with unshakeable confidence. In seconds, he had an answer.
"You would know a little bit about being sent to other worlds, right?" Ranpo laughed, "Well, I know who did this, and I know what we're supposed to do."
After a long silence, Poe sighed, "Please do tell, Ranpo..."
"Alright!" He shrugged, "This ability belongs to a man that the ADA had once arrested. He must've had a grudge and assumed he could win if he took me out first. Anyway, it sends those on the receiving end into another world, but not one that the user made."
"Huh?"
"He didn't create this world. It already existed. We were sent here by his ability, and the only way to get back is to bring the world's purpose to completion."
"I see," Poe nodded, placing a hand on his chin, "Very well done, Ranpo!"
Ranpo nodded and laughed, "As always!" He took off his glasses, "So this means that we have to end whatever conflict is plaguing this world." With his signature grin, he let out an amused huff, "But first," and turned to Poe.
Poe stood slightly straighter, holding his book with both hands, "Y-Yes?"
"I'm hungry."
"Oh!" Poe hunched to his previous size, "Alright, well let's get you some snacks."
"Thanks, Ed! You're the best!"
They--or well, Poe--trudged out of the alley with unspoken reluctance. He stared, wide-eyed, at the bright, glossy streets of a foreign realm. What world were they in, for it to be so unbearably advanced?
Ranpo walked with every bit of carefreeness as he usually did; although, Poe could tell his guard wasn't down. Ranpo, he thought, is quite the impressive rival!
"Ugh, where's a candy shop, already?!" Ranpo pouted with a groan, "Do people here have no tastebuds?"
"We will find one soon, dear Ranpo. Please don't fret." Poe began to reach his hand to pat Ranpo on the shoulder, but ultimately thought better of it, glancing away. He paused, eyes widening. "This is Musutafu?" The Guild member looked at a giant advertisement in awe. "So this world must still be called Earth, just in a different time period."
Ranpo laughed and glanced back at him... or at least Poe thinks he did? "Yes and no. This is Musutafu, and undoubtedly a version of Earth, but there's no way we were sent to a world just like ours, only years later." He pointed to his right. "Look at the people for a second."
Poe followed Ranpo's arm and looked over at those he was calling out. He flinched slightly, before leaning in to get a better look.
"There are many people with non-human characteristics. Of course, most seem to be human-looking." Ranpo smiled, "But these must be a genetic form of superpower, one that most in the world possess." He pointed again, "For example, that mother has dragon features, and the father has lizard features. The child between them has a mix of both."
Poe tightened his grip on his novel, a smile sneaking onto his lips. Ranpo was so observant. No doubt, his rival was really the greatest detective in the world!
"Impressive deduction as always, dearest Ranpo!" Poe straightened his back and spoke enthusiastically, his fist pumping in the air, "You're truly one of a kind! Why, you might even-"
"Thanks, I know. Now, where's that candy?" Ranpo turned away and began walking. After a moment of hesitation, Poe slumped down again and began to follow once more.
Each and every street was bustling and crowded, and breathing room was not an option. Poe was doing his best to keep up with Ranpo, but he seemed dead-set on getting his candy. Eventually, Ranpo sighed and reached back, grabbing Poe's arm and dragging him along.
Poe stared wide-eyed at Ranpo's hand. He blinked very few times, and kept glancing up and down at Ranpo and his grasp on Poe's arm. Thankfully for passersby, they couldn't see the quite frankly chilling look in Poe's eye. Poe was happy, his heart pounding, but his face was not expressing that. He was in such shock that, if others could see, he probably looked like he was one step away from suicide bombing everyone.
Soon enough, Ranpo dropped Poe's arm and sprinted into a candy store. Poe took a loud gasp, finally breathing. His shoulders rising and falling with his heartbeat. He followed Ranpo inside and watched as he grabbed two arms full of candy and snacks. The detective was laughing like a maniac, but Poe simply smiled. Ranpo was so happy.
"Would you like me to carry anything else?" Poe asked, putting his novel in his pocket.
"Yes! Grab that, and that-- Oh! And that, too!" Ranpo shouted.
Poe dutifully grabbed everything Ranpo's heart desired, and after much shopping, they carried it all to the checkout. The lady in front of them smiled awkwardly at them, glancing away in fear.
Once they were ready to ring everything up, Ranpo just shoved it all on the conveyor, while Poe carefully set each one down.
The guy at the register's eyebrows raised, yet his tired face didn't move. "Is that all?"
"Yes," Poe nodded. What's this guy's deal?
The man sighed and started scanning everything. Poe watched with curiosity as the technology began doing its job.
"Curious, indeed..." Poe placed a hand on his chin.
The cashier did not seem impressed. Poe glared in annoyance. Good thing his bangs are so long, since the cashier didn't notice. Or maybe he just didn't care.
Once everything was checked, Poe pulled out the cash in his pocket, which he had brought for the earlier candy store, and paid everything. He had about 2,000 USD left, but he clicked his tongue at the amount. How little.
Poe carried two bags with each hand, and in his arms were three more bags. Ranpo somehow shoved an entire comically large lollipop into his mouth, but Poe smiled. He was so happy.
"Ranpo," Poe began, "What-"
"Hold on," Ranpo said, pulling the lollipop from his mouth and stopping suddenly, "We're gonna need more money."
"Fear not, Ranpo! Remember, I-" Poe froze, slumping down further, "Oh, right. My bank is useless in this world."
"We have a bit to get by, but you realized how high those prices were, right? Inflation. Unfortunately, we might not be able to afford to live here on just what you have left." Ranpo licked his lollipop.
"Did you-" Poe spoke, but then realized how idiotic his question would sound and didn't continue.
"Did I bring any money? No." Ranpo shrugged, tilting his head. "We do need jobs, though. Any ideas?" Ranpo smirked, meaning he already had some sort of plan.
"Well, it would be wise to work in some sort of setting together. The thing is, neither of us have any papers or identification for this world, so that will be difficult. Unless, of course, we find a job where our talents are already so outstanding that they have no choice but to hire us."
"Smart thinking," Ranpo grinned, "but I thought of it first. Anyway, we're both good with detective work, so we need to find some place where that will be useful. Although, a government-run organization likely won't accept us without identification."
Poe pursed his lips slightly at being late to the punch, but he sighed and spoke regardless, "So what do we do now?"
Ranpo pointed with his lollipop at a TV--or what Poe thinks is a TV, it's very advanced--in a shop window. The news was playing, and the headline read, 'Villain organization breaks into the USJ training hall of UA Hero High School.'
"That," the candy addict grins, "is our ticket."