I have returned! I am incredibly sorry for the long delay - life took over. Quick life update for you - I spent the past year and a half getting my teaching credential (hence the extended disappearance). I'm hoping to get a little more regular on updating this thing, or at least not making you all wait almost three years like I did before this update.

This chapter doesn't have a lot of introspection from Conan. I needed to set a few things up with this chapter.

Since I first published A New Player nearly 7 years ago, this story has received 205 reviews, 572 followers, and 446 favorites. I have been blown away by all the interest in a story that hasn't been touched much in the past few years.

Thank you to all the kind reviewers and everyone who has waited patiently for an update!

Cover Credit: deviantART's ~kayainu

Disclaimer: I do not own Sherlock or Detective Conan.

"As for that favor…"

"What kind of favor?" Conan asked suspiciously.

Mycroft waved a hand lazily. "Nothing too drastic. I just need you to deliver a letter. I'll even give you your information before you do it for me. And as for information from you..." he paused here and smirked. "I just need you to confirm something for me."

Haibara crossed her arms. "Edogawa-kun isn't doing anything until you explain."

"I second that!" John interjected. His posture was tense, and it was clear to everyone that he had slowly becoming more and more frustrated. He turned to his flatmate. "Sherlock, what the bloody hell is going on?"

The detective ignored him, muttering to himself. Conan grumbled under his breath, realizing it would be up to him to calm the doctor. "Watson-san, you mustn't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," he started calmly. "About a year ago I was investigating some suspicious men at an amusement park. They caught me eavesdropping and force fed me a poison, leaving me to die. When I woke up, I had shrunk. I knew that if the organization realized I was still alive, they would return to finish the job so I created the pseudonym Conan Edogawa and moved in with my childhood best friend and her father, the now famous detective Kogoro Mouri. Using inventions from Agasa-hakasa, I have been solving cases using Mouri-ojiisan's voice. My goal is to take down the black organization and return to my normal body."

Haibara scowled, but continued, "I used to work for the organization and developed the drug that Kudo-kun was given. When I heard his body had not been found, I investigated and came to my own conclusions. I took the drug to escape the organization and found Kudo-kun."

By this point, John's jaw had dropped and he was rubbing at his temples. "This is insane. I'm going insane," he muttered to himself. "How is this possible?"

The two children pursed their lips. Mycroft chose to answer this question, "The science behind it is still unclear. I have my suspicions though." He cleared his throat, pulling out a sealed envelope. "Now about my favor. I need to deliver a message to Masumi Sera. I believe you are familiar with her." His eyes gleamed.

Conan scowled, snatching the letter from Mycroft's hands. "What do you want with Sera?" he asked.

Mycroft pursed his lips before speaking. "Her mother was an…associate of mine. I would also like confirmation on where Shuichi Akai has been hiding. I haven't received a missive from him and I want assurance he's not...dead."

A man in a crisp Westwood suit sat across from a blonde woman. They were at a non-descript coffee shop, and to all passersby looked to be in the middle of a business meeting. Both had steaming cups of tea in front of them. The two had met many times before, but never in the same location twice. After taking a long sip from her tea, the woman spoke.

"So how did you enjoy my Silver Bullet? I know you've been so bored lately," she said with a smirk.

The man scowled lightly, but she could see the excitement in his eyes. "I would have appreciated more information upon receiving him, Sharon," he said. "He wouldn't have gotten away if I had known about his gadgets."

Sharon smirked. "A secret makes a woman, woman," she answered coyly. "Besides, James, you would have gotten bored if it was too easy. The chase is half the fun."

Moriarty rolled his eyes. "Yes, but I could have done without the football to the head," he said through gritted teeth. She shrugged nonchalantly in response. He took a deep breath and placed two cellphones on the table between them. He saw her eyes flash in alarm and he spoke, "Tell me about the phones. Obviously I've had them translated already. Both phones have messages from the same girl, addressed to different names."

The woman pursed her lips. "Conan lives with Ran Mouri and her father, the detective the Sleeping Kogoro. His cousin Shinichi crossed paths with our organization a year ago and has been in hiding ever since. He probably gave Conan his phone for safe keeping," she explained. 'You better appreciate this, Silver Bullet-kun.'

James Moriarty took a sip of his own tea. "Should I be concerned that Shinichi will show up to protect his cousin?"

Sharon laughed. "Not at all. He wouldn't take the risk. You should have no issues in acquiring my dear Silver Bullet, unless of course you're precious playmate interferes." She took one more sip of her tea before standing. "I must be off, James dear. Please do keep me updated on this little game of yours."

Moriarty stood as well. "Thank you, as always, Sharon. Please give Ano kata my best," he said, kissing her hand. She nodded, before walking off, quickly blending in with the crowd. Moriarty downed the rest of his tea and smirked. He put the two phones back into his suit pocket and pulled out his own cell phone. He pressed a number before bringing it to his ear. "Did you find me a new voice?" he asked. "I do have a game to finish, after all."

A new twist! Did any of you predict this? How do you think Mycroft knows Sera's mom? Will Conan reveal where Akai has been all this time? Also, will Vermouth's subterfuge prevent Moriarty from making any true connections? Why did she give Conan to him anyway? And what's Moriarty's relationship with The Boss? Stay tuned to find out these answers and more! Please review! I promise I will update in a more timely manner than my past two have been.

-Emily