Paradox Lost: Part 13
This hasn't been beta-read by my editor, as today has been really rough on the both of us and neither of us seem to be in the mood to talk to each other. Which is pretty bad since my editor is my husband. Anyway, I vented by writing this chapter, so if it seems bad, that may be the reason why. When things have settled, I'll have it looked over by my husband and make corrections and changes as needed. Also, for those coming from Tegaki to read this, know that your art and support is greatly appreciated and treasured, and you are probably going to influence the final dialogue in the story's finale. That said, this chapter is Luke's final full night in the past. The next one will be his final few hours, and then he'll jump for the future where Professor Hershel Layton is in his prime, with young Luke and Flora under his tutelage. More twists and secrets will be uncovered as Older Luke tries to discover exactly what has changed since his time spent with Young Layton, who has yet to give up on keeping his mentor....
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Paradox Lost
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The Historical Museum had been cleared of exhibits for the occasion, and filling its main chamber were dozens of round tables and one series of rectangular tables set end to end to divide the room. It was packed with food of all kinds, and the delectable scents reminded Luke of evenings with Flora and the Professor, provided Luke was the one who had cooked, of course. A stage was set up at the far end of the hall, to introduce and thank the benefactor most probably.
Harold turned in his invitations for 'Layton Family and Guest', then led them towards the table reserved for them near the stage. They were all in their best outfits for the occasion; Harold dressed as properly as always, brown silk hat snug on his head, Helena in a stunning gown of silk and fur, eyes sparkling over the feathered fan she held before herself, Hershel in a miniature copy of his future wardrobe, down to his top hat and cloak. Luke remained in his usual blue coat and cap, vest, dress shirt and pants pressed for the event, and his satchel by his side as always. Harold had wanted him to leave it behind, but Luke put up a fight and Helena backed him surprisingly fast, so there it was and there it would stay.
"So who exactly is it that donated to the museum?" Luke asked the current Professor Layton, pencil and notepad at the ready, "I'd like to add this to the records my mentor collected." Harold pushed his glasses up onto his nose, sighing at the question.
"A gentleman who gave his name as Odan Polo. Strange fellow." he replied as Luke took note of the name, "Didn't seem that interested in the displays but signed over a tidy sum that should keep our dig sites open another year or so." Hershel made a face at that, quickly wiping it from sight before anyone else could see. "As a courtesy and out of gratitude, the museum decided to host this banquet in his honor." Luke lifted an eyebrow in suspicion, studying the name in his notepad.
"When did he make his donation, if I may ask?" he pressed and Harold spread his hands in a polite shrug.
"Yesterday morning. The entire transaction was done in currency. Not a single bank note or cheque to be found." he replied and looked around, spotting another gentleman waving at him, "Ah, excuse me. The Director wishes to speak with me." With that, he stood and left the table. Hershel scowled once he was gone, sitting back in his chair with a huff.
"Oh, wonderful. That means Father will be sent away to dig up more things and I'll be all alone again." he grumbled, then brightened quickly and smiled up at Luke, "But you'll be staying with us, Sir Luke, so that won't matter at all! I can still learn to solve puzzles from you and then when I grow up, I'll become Father's apprentice and...!" Luke sighed and shook his head firmly, and Hershel's smile faded away. "Why not, Sir Luke?" he pleaded, "I want you to stay with us at our manor! I learn so much from you!"
"Hershel, I've told you already; there's another place I must go to and another person who needs me." Luke replied tiredly, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose, "As soon as I pick up my pocket-watch, I'll be leaving this place. You won't see me for a very long time, but that's how it is. You can't have what you want all the time. A gentleman should know when no means no." Hershel glared at him and threw himself back in his chair with a huff. Luke watched him sadly for a moment, then snapped to alertness when the lights were dimmed in the hall, letting the flickering of dozens of candles provide an elegant atmosphere. A hush fell over the audience as a small, but complete symphonic band near the stage began to play and light engulfed the stage to draw everyone's attention towards it. The Director stood at the podium and began to speak, a courtesy oration prepared to introduce the museum's latest benefactor.
A waiter walked up to Helena out of the darkness and whispered softly into her ear. She listened with an attentive look on her face even as she kept her gaze on the stage, then nodded and stood up. Motioning towards Hershel and Luke, she followed the waiter towards the lit wooden stage, apparently being led to join Harold on the stage. Luke reached out and took hold of Hershel's hand so he wouldn't get lost in the crowd, and frowned deeply at what he'd learned. Any puzzle solver worth his salt could see through the jumble of letters Don Paolo made of his own name. What was he hoping to gain by donating money to the Historical Museum? He blinked as the waiter guided them onto the stage and stood them by Harold just as the Director finished his speech and introduced 'Odan Polo', who emerged from the shadows to take his place at the podium, giving Luke his first good look at him.
He was definitely much older than the Don Paolo he knew in his own time, with three additional 'spikes' of hair styled on his head, all in gray. He hadn't aged very well and a scar roughly two inches long on his cheek made him look menacing. It appeared to have been made by a sharp edge, being thin and clean. Don Paolo still dressed in his usual flamboyant manner, and still smelled of smoke and acrid chemicals, which those around him tried very hard to bear for the sake of politeness. Helena narrowed her eyes and fluttered her fan, expressing her distaste in that gesture. Hershel shrank back behind Luke, trembling as he gripped his mentor's hand more tightly.
"It's the creepy man, Sir Luke! The one who always watched you!" he whimpered, "What's he doing here?"
"Cornering me, I suppose." Luke whispered back, glaring as 'Odan' made his own speech to the crowd, "This seemed to be the best way of getting me to go to him without arousing anyone's suspicions. Age has made him slightly more clever in his plots." Helena glanced aside at him, but said nothing, fluttering continuously to keep the stench of smoke from getting near her.
Once the speeches were done and the banquet truly began, 'Odan' made his way almost casually to Harold and his family, greeting them with a smarmy smile as he held a champagne glass up in a toast.
"So you are the current Professor Layton? An honor to meet the man behind the famed name." he purred and Harold pushed his glasses up higher in veiled annoyance.
"The honor is yours alone, good sir. I wouldn't dare take it from you." he replied in a polite barb. 'Odan' chuckled and turned his gaze to Helena with a smirk.
"And a fine lady you have on your arm tonight. Madam, I believe your beauty may have charmed me." the scientist purred and Helena closed her fan with a snap, smirking back just as sharply.
"Flattery is little more than a few selected words to soothe the ears of women and coax the sense out of their heads. I prefer the allure of a good puzzle." she returned, eyes glittering as 'Odan' flinched the slightest at the mention of a puzzle.
"Puzzles. I detest the playthings of idle hands and minds." the scientist grumbled and Helena laughed icily, tilting her head in defiance.
"Then our families will never see eye to eye." she challenged, "For puzzles are what make this world a mysterious and beautiful place." 'Odan' only huffed before turning to Luke, breaking into a huge grin that only grew far wider when he spotted Hershel clinging to the teen's arm and scowling up at him.
"And you must be Harold's son! A pleasure to meet you!" Don Paolo crooned and his gaze flicked up at Luke, adding under his breath, "Though he seems a good deal shorter than I last remember, don't you think, my boy? Ah, little people must fall for greatness to truly rise supreme." Luke jerked his head back, curling a lip in disgust.
"Don't call me that. I don't know what your game is in this time, Don Paolo, but rest assured I will not let you harm Hershel!" he hissed and the scientist stepped back, looking over at Harold.
"Am I correct in assuming you have two sons? I was under the impression you only had one." he asked of the other man instead. Harold cleared his throat delicately, now looking wary himself.
"The little one is my son, Hershel Layton. The elder is his teacher, Sir Luke, though he gave no family name." he corrected and Don Paolo grinned again, looking over at the blue-clad young man, who stiffened and glared back. "He is teaching my son the duties of a gentleman when I am indisposed, and on occasion, how to solve puzzles." Harold went on, adjusting his glasses again, "My wife hired him based on those skills."
"Would you mind terribly if I stole a moment of his time for a private chat? Such an intelligent young man may hold promise with my company, if he is ever released from your employment, of course." the scientist requested genially, ignoring Luke's barely noticeable growl of displeasure. Harold and Helena glanced at one another in silent debate before the woman turned her gaze to Luke. The teen caught her eyes, studied the silent message she was giving, 'You may refuse', then slowly shook his head. If he was to uncover Don Paolo's plot, he would have to risk standing alone against him.
"I'm interested in hearing what you have to say." Luke replied coldly and released Hershel's hand, pushing him towards his mother despite his protesting, "Stay with your parents, Hershel. I'll be right back."
"Sir Luke?" Helena questioned worriedly, picking up the squirming boy and holding him close, "Are you sure this will be all right?" Luke nodded and followed the scientist off the stage. Hershel watched them leave, then burst into tears, burying his face into his mother's neck.
"I don't like the cut of his cloth." Harold whispered under his breath, standing by his wife to hold the conversation, "Sir Luke looked to have recognized him and do you recall what he said of his attacker?" Helena nodded, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"The smell of smoke and something acrid, a scent he remembered from his childhood. That man may have spent much time and money in tracking down our live-in teacher, but for what reason?" she murmured and gazed down at the sobbing boy, "And Hershel is positively terrified of the idea of leaving Luke alone with him. I do believe we've found our attempted kidnapper." Harold nodded and gently took his wife by the elbow.
"Then I say we follow them and give an ear to what they discuss." he added, guiding his family down from the stage and towards the empty rooms near the back, "And if need be... offer our support." He summoned a nearby waiter and murmured a command to him that had the young man nod quickly and run off. Hershel turned his head, watching with wide eyes as the three of them moved swiftly and quietly after his mentor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What the devil were you trying to pull?!" Luke snapped at Don Paolo once they were in a secluded room, "You practically told them we were both from other timelines! And don't think I don't know what you're up to; you've already murdered the Professor! Why bother killing him as a child?!" Don Paolo laughed loudly, stroking the ends of his mustache as he did.
"For a brat that helped create the ability to travel through time, you know very little of the intricacies of meddling with events." the scientist purred, "I don't want Layton dead in this time, not at all. It would unravel my beautiful plans to destroy that wretch's name and prove my superiority to the world, thus enabling me to gain all the treasures he ever sought!" Luke stared at him, eyebrow lifted in disbelief. Don Paolo huffed, throwing a hand up in exasperation. "Ah, what would a mere ex-apprentice know of the tapestry of time anyway?" he grumbled, then resumed smiling, "It's no surprise, however, that you refused to give your full name to that little family back there. However did you manage to ingrain yourself into their confidence, knowing you would someday be apprenticed by that little ankle-biter back there?"
"Don't call him that!" Luke shouted back angrily, shaking a fist at the old man, "And my name has nothing to do with this! Leave them out of it and tell me why you keep attacking me! Why are you here from your own time?!" Don Paolo shrugged, walking in a wide circle around the young man, a calculating look on his face as he stroked at his chin.
"Hmm. Why indeed? Let me ask this of you instead." the scientist mused aloud, "Why are you here? My future is assured; can you say the same of yours?" Luke opened his mouth to retaliate, then paused, suspicious. "Curious by what I mean?" Don Paolo purred, "Then check that wretched little book you carry around on your person at all times. I've see you use it when gathering notes to foil my schemes." Luke whipped out the notepad at its mention, flipping it open again and searching its pages. Another handful of notes had vanished already, leaving blank paper behind. Don Paolo laughed, gesturing in triumph as Luke simply stared at the empty pages. "Now do you understand? Now do you see?" he declared with another round of laughter, walking up to the young man with a swagger, "Time is shifting to create the future I desire! A future where I am recognized for my genius and Layton is nothing more than a vulgarity." Luke shot him a vicious glare, stuffing the book back into his pocket.
"So you're changing the events of that day too?! How? By killing me and Flora along with the Professor? A triple murder?!" he snapped. Don Paolo tapped the end of his nose with a finger in a twisted form of affection, grinning broadly at him, and the young man jumped back, whipping the dagger out of hiding and holding it firmly in his grip. "Never try that again, lest you wish to count less next time you go do your shopping." he threatened shakily.
"Trying to match my scar, are you now? I've seen this stance before and I'll warn you that it failed you in the end, allowing me to traverse time to the here and now. Dear boy, I know all about your history, being from the future that you desire. Like you, I am protected from time's alterations until the timeline is locked by the destruction of your little watch." Don Paolo crooned, holding out a hand invitingly towards Layton's ex-apprentice, "And while you remain here, petering away your time with the infant Layton thanks to my efforts, my past self has already dealt with him in his future and begun the steps to acquiring Layton's legacy. All I have to do to complete the loop and end the paradox is to take you back to your own time and destroy the watch." With that, he lunged for Luke, the teen leaping back again and slashing at the air with the dagger to hold him at bay. The scientist backed away with a curse, his eyes falling on a nearby collection of antique canes in the green room. Snatching one up from its place among its peers, Don Paolo began advancing steadily as he kept his gaze moving between the teen and the dagger.
"So that's how you knew about me. You're from the future where I succeeded in foiling your plans! And yet here you are, trying to thwart a success that has yet to happen." Luke growled, flicking the blade before himself in a makeshift attempt to shield himself and defend against any sudden movements, "So what does that have to do with taking me back to my own time period? What would you possibly gain? I'll just make another Binder and jump through time, over and over until I have won!" Don Paolo kept his grin in place, tightening his grip on the cane.
"But therein lies the paradox's end. When I take you back under the conditions I have set, you'll never want to jump through time at all!" he crowed, "In fact, the Binder and Slipstream will probably have never existed!" The door to the green room suddenly banged at that moment and Luke made the mistake of moving against the source of the sound, leaving himself open to the scientist's strike. A sweep of the cane sent Luke's dagger flying while the door banged again, this time bursting open under the blows of Harold's kicking. Hershel had only to glance into the room as the Layton family hurried in before bursting into screaming wails.
"That's the bad man!" he shrieked wildly, pointing at Don Paolo cornering Luke on the other side of the room.
"Fiend! Step away from that boy at once!" Harold declared, pointing a rapier in his direction, the very thing he had sent the waiter to retrieve for him from his own office. The scientist laughed, waving at them as if they were little more than gnats buzzing at his ear. Helena set Hershel down and sent him running for aid while she took up an antique cane herself, standing by her husband with a fierce glare.
"Hateful little man, do as we say this instant!" she yelled, "I'll not allow you to bring harm to my son's mentor and friend!" Both parents lifted their weapons challengingly and Don Paolo laughed again, standing aside and bowing towards them.
"Ah, but will you allow him to harm your family and destroy your name for all time?" he asked in return, then crashed through the window behind him, vanishing into the night with wild, maniacal laughter. Luke stood frozen by the wall, mind racing through all that he'd learned from the scientist. What exactly had happened in this time's future, his own past, that altered the events leading him to create the Time-Binder and Slipstream Device? What did this mean for his own mission? Harold began inspecting the room for damages as Helena walked up to him, talking softly, soothingly, while stroking his hair back from his face and checking for injuries. Numbed by the events, he let her go on, distantly watching Hershel run back into the room with a group of other men following after.
"Professor Layton! What is the meaning of this?!" the Director declared gruffly, "Your son burst onto the stage screaming bloody murder about an attack in our museum!" Harold finished his inspection, raising an eyebrow at the silver dagger lying on the floor. He picked it up with a handkerchief and tucked it into his coat before turning to the crowd of men.
"There was indeed an attack here, Director Kensley. Odan Polo attempted to subdue and kidnap my son's mentor; he fled through that window when my wife and I confronted him." he explained and gestured towards Luke, who spotted Harold put away the dagger and just sagged against Helena, dropping to a kneeling position on the floor as she knelt by him, continuing her soft crooning, "He's currently in shock, as you can see. Clearly, this Mr. Polo had used his donation as a ruse to lure Sir Luke out of the safety of our home and attempt another kidnapping, as this had happened numerous times before." The Director's eyes bulged in horror.
"By jove! Should we call for a constable?!" he blurted and Helena shook her head quickly.
"Certainly not, Director. That man may have accomplices lying in wait for news of Sir Luke. If his name is recorded or documented anywhere, one of them may find it and poor Luke will never have peace." she told him sternly, "For now, we will hide the events that transpired this night. Surely the donation will cover for repairs of the window and door. And Luke will press no charges against the museum for the reasons I have stated." She smiled gently as Hershel made his way to her quickly and hugged Luke's arm, obviously grateful that the teen was still there. Harold joined them, pulling Luke's free arm over his shoulders and hefting him to his feet, bending enough to keep him steady as the young man stood a good two or three inches shorter than himself.
"We'll be retiring for the rest of the evening, if you don't mind." he told the Director, "If one of you gentlemen would be so kind as to guide us to a rear exit?" One of the curators lifted a hand in volunteer and led the family away.
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Paradox Lost
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The Historical Museum had been cleared of exhibits for the occasion, and filling its main chamber were dozens of round tables and one series of rectangular tables set end to end to divide the room. It was packed with food of all kinds, and the delectable scents reminded Luke of evenings with Flora and the Professor, provided Luke was the one who had cooked, of course. A stage was set up at the far end of the hall, to introduce and thank the benefactor most probably.
Harold turned in his invitations for 'Layton Family and Guest', then led them towards the table reserved for them near the stage. They were all in their best outfits for the occasion; Harold dressed as properly as always, brown silk hat snug on his head, Helena in a stunning gown of silk and fur, eyes sparkling over the feathered fan she held before herself, Hershel in a miniature copy of his future wardrobe, down to his top hat and cloak. Luke remained in his usual blue coat and cap, vest, dress shirt and pants pressed for the event, and his satchel by his side as always. Harold had wanted him to leave it behind, but Luke put up a fight and Helena backed him surprisingly fast, so there it was and there it would stay.
"So who exactly is it that donated to the museum?" Luke asked the current Professor Layton, pencil and notepad at the ready, "I'd like to add this to the records my mentor collected." Harold pushed his glasses up onto his nose, sighing at the question.
"A gentleman who gave his name as Odan Polo. Strange fellow." he replied as Luke took note of the name, "Didn't seem that interested in the displays but signed over a tidy sum that should keep our dig sites open another year or so." Hershel made a face at that, quickly wiping it from sight before anyone else could see. "As a courtesy and out of gratitude, the museum decided to host this banquet in his honor." Luke lifted an eyebrow in suspicion, studying the name in his notepad.
"When did he make his donation, if I may ask?" he pressed and Harold spread his hands in a polite shrug.
"Yesterday morning. The entire transaction was done in currency. Not a single bank note or cheque to be found." he replied and looked around, spotting another gentleman waving at him, "Ah, excuse me. The Director wishes to speak with me." With that, he stood and left the table. Hershel scowled once he was gone, sitting back in his chair with a huff.
"Oh, wonderful. That means Father will be sent away to dig up more things and I'll be all alone again." he grumbled, then brightened quickly and smiled up at Luke, "But you'll be staying with us, Sir Luke, so that won't matter at all! I can still learn to solve puzzles from you and then when I grow up, I'll become Father's apprentice and...!" Luke sighed and shook his head firmly, and Hershel's smile faded away. "Why not, Sir Luke?" he pleaded, "I want you to stay with us at our manor! I learn so much from you!"
"Hershel, I've told you already; there's another place I must go to and another person who needs me." Luke replied tiredly, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose, "As soon as I pick up my pocket-watch, I'll be leaving this place. You won't see me for a very long time, but that's how it is. You can't have what you want all the time. A gentleman should know when no means no." Hershel glared at him and threw himself back in his chair with a huff. Luke watched him sadly for a moment, then snapped to alertness when the lights were dimmed in the hall, letting the flickering of dozens of candles provide an elegant atmosphere. A hush fell over the audience as a small, but complete symphonic band near the stage began to play and light engulfed the stage to draw everyone's attention towards it. The Director stood at the podium and began to speak, a courtesy oration prepared to introduce the museum's latest benefactor.
A waiter walked up to Helena out of the darkness and whispered softly into her ear. She listened with an attentive look on her face even as she kept her gaze on the stage, then nodded and stood up. Motioning towards Hershel and Luke, she followed the waiter towards the lit wooden stage, apparently being led to join Harold on the stage. Luke reached out and took hold of Hershel's hand so he wouldn't get lost in the crowd, and frowned deeply at what he'd learned. Any puzzle solver worth his salt could see through the jumble of letters Don Paolo made of his own name. What was he hoping to gain by donating money to the Historical Museum? He blinked as the waiter guided them onto the stage and stood them by Harold just as the Director finished his speech and introduced 'Odan Polo', who emerged from the shadows to take his place at the podium, giving Luke his first good look at him.
He was definitely much older than the Don Paolo he knew in his own time, with three additional 'spikes' of hair styled on his head, all in gray. He hadn't aged very well and a scar roughly two inches long on his cheek made him look menacing. It appeared to have been made by a sharp edge, being thin and clean. Don Paolo still dressed in his usual flamboyant manner, and still smelled of smoke and acrid chemicals, which those around him tried very hard to bear for the sake of politeness. Helena narrowed her eyes and fluttered her fan, expressing her distaste in that gesture. Hershel shrank back behind Luke, trembling as he gripped his mentor's hand more tightly.
"It's the creepy man, Sir Luke! The one who always watched you!" he whimpered, "What's he doing here?"
"Cornering me, I suppose." Luke whispered back, glaring as 'Odan' made his own speech to the crowd, "This seemed to be the best way of getting me to go to him without arousing anyone's suspicions. Age has made him slightly more clever in his plots." Helena glanced aside at him, but said nothing, fluttering continuously to keep the stench of smoke from getting near her.
Once the speeches were done and the banquet truly began, 'Odan' made his way almost casually to Harold and his family, greeting them with a smarmy smile as he held a champagne glass up in a toast.
"So you are the current Professor Layton? An honor to meet the man behind the famed name." he purred and Harold pushed his glasses up higher in veiled annoyance.
"The honor is yours alone, good sir. I wouldn't dare take it from you." he replied in a polite barb. 'Odan' chuckled and turned his gaze to Helena with a smirk.
"And a fine lady you have on your arm tonight. Madam, I believe your beauty may have charmed me." the scientist purred and Helena closed her fan with a snap, smirking back just as sharply.
"Flattery is little more than a few selected words to soothe the ears of women and coax the sense out of their heads. I prefer the allure of a good puzzle." she returned, eyes glittering as 'Odan' flinched the slightest at the mention of a puzzle.
"Puzzles. I detest the playthings of idle hands and minds." the scientist grumbled and Helena laughed icily, tilting her head in defiance.
"Then our families will never see eye to eye." she challenged, "For puzzles are what make this world a mysterious and beautiful place." 'Odan' only huffed before turning to Luke, breaking into a huge grin that only grew far wider when he spotted Hershel clinging to the teen's arm and scowling up at him.
"And you must be Harold's son! A pleasure to meet you!" Don Paolo crooned and his gaze flicked up at Luke, adding under his breath, "Though he seems a good deal shorter than I last remember, don't you think, my boy? Ah, little people must fall for greatness to truly rise supreme." Luke jerked his head back, curling a lip in disgust.
"Don't call me that. I don't know what your game is in this time, Don Paolo, but rest assured I will not let you harm Hershel!" he hissed and the scientist stepped back, looking over at Harold.
"Am I correct in assuming you have two sons? I was under the impression you only had one." he asked of the other man instead. Harold cleared his throat delicately, now looking wary himself.
"The little one is my son, Hershel Layton. The elder is his teacher, Sir Luke, though he gave no family name." he corrected and Don Paolo grinned again, looking over at the blue-clad young man, who stiffened and glared back. "He is teaching my son the duties of a gentleman when I am indisposed, and on occasion, how to solve puzzles." Harold went on, adjusting his glasses again, "My wife hired him based on those skills."
"Would you mind terribly if I stole a moment of his time for a private chat? Such an intelligent young man may hold promise with my company, if he is ever released from your employment, of course." the scientist requested genially, ignoring Luke's barely noticeable growl of displeasure. Harold and Helena glanced at one another in silent debate before the woman turned her gaze to Luke. The teen caught her eyes, studied the silent message she was giving, 'You may refuse', then slowly shook his head. If he was to uncover Don Paolo's plot, he would have to risk standing alone against him.
"I'm interested in hearing what you have to say." Luke replied coldly and released Hershel's hand, pushing him towards his mother despite his protesting, "Stay with your parents, Hershel. I'll be right back."
"Sir Luke?" Helena questioned worriedly, picking up the squirming boy and holding him close, "Are you sure this will be all right?" Luke nodded and followed the scientist off the stage. Hershel watched them leave, then burst into tears, burying his face into his mother's neck.
"I don't like the cut of his cloth." Harold whispered under his breath, standing by his wife to hold the conversation, "Sir Luke looked to have recognized him and do you recall what he said of his attacker?" Helena nodded, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"The smell of smoke and something acrid, a scent he remembered from his childhood. That man may have spent much time and money in tracking down our live-in teacher, but for what reason?" she murmured and gazed down at the sobbing boy, "And Hershel is positively terrified of the idea of leaving Luke alone with him. I do believe we've found our attempted kidnapper." Harold nodded and gently took his wife by the elbow.
"Then I say we follow them and give an ear to what they discuss." he added, guiding his family down from the stage and towards the empty rooms near the back, "And if need be... offer our support." He summoned a nearby waiter and murmured a command to him that had the young man nod quickly and run off. Hershel turned his head, watching with wide eyes as the three of them moved swiftly and quietly after his mentor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What the devil were you trying to pull?!" Luke snapped at Don Paolo once they were in a secluded room, "You practically told them we were both from other timelines! And don't think I don't know what you're up to; you've already murdered the Professor! Why bother killing him as a child?!" Don Paolo laughed loudly, stroking the ends of his mustache as he did.
"For a brat that helped create the ability to travel through time, you know very little of the intricacies of meddling with events." the scientist purred, "I don't want Layton dead in this time, not at all. It would unravel my beautiful plans to destroy that wretch's name and prove my superiority to the world, thus enabling me to gain all the treasures he ever sought!" Luke stared at him, eyebrow lifted in disbelief. Don Paolo huffed, throwing a hand up in exasperation. "Ah, what would a mere ex-apprentice know of the tapestry of time anyway?" he grumbled, then resumed smiling, "It's no surprise, however, that you refused to give your full name to that little family back there. However did you manage to ingrain yourself into their confidence, knowing you would someday be apprenticed by that little ankle-biter back there?"
"Don't call him that!" Luke shouted back angrily, shaking a fist at the old man, "And my name has nothing to do with this! Leave them out of it and tell me why you keep attacking me! Why are you here from your own time?!" Don Paolo shrugged, walking in a wide circle around the young man, a calculating look on his face as he stroked at his chin.
"Hmm. Why indeed? Let me ask this of you instead." the scientist mused aloud, "Why are you here? My future is assured; can you say the same of yours?" Luke opened his mouth to retaliate, then paused, suspicious. "Curious by what I mean?" Don Paolo purred, "Then check that wretched little book you carry around on your person at all times. I've see you use it when gathering notes to foil my schemes." Luke whipped out the notepad at its mention, flipping it open again and searching its pages. Another handful of notes had vanished already, leaving blank paper behind. Don Paolo laughed, gesturing in triumph as Luke simply stared at the empty pages. "Now do you understand? Now do you see?" he declared with another round of laughter, walking up to the young man with a swagger, "Time is shifting to create the future I desire! A future where I am recognized for my genius and Layton is nothing more than a vulgarity." Luke shot him a vicious glare, stuffing the book back into his pocket.
"So you're changing the events of that day too?! How? By killing me and Flora along with the Professor? A triple murder?!" he snapped. Don Paolo tapped the end of his nose with a finger in a twisted form of affection, grinning broadly at him, and the young man jumped back, whipping the dagger out of hiding and holding it firmly in his grip. "Never try that again, lest you wish to count less next time you go do your shopping." he threatened shakily.
"Trying to match my scar, are you now? I've seen this stance before and I'll warn you that it failed you in the end, allowing me to traverse time to the here and now. Dear boy, I know all about your history, being from the future that you desire. Like you, I am protected from time's alterations until the timeline is locked by the destruction of your little watch." Don Paolo crooned, holding out a hand invitingly towards Layton's ex-apprentice, "And while you remain here, petering away your time with the infant Layton thanks to my efforts, my past self has already dealt with him in his future and begun the steps to acquiring Layton's legacy. All I have to do to complete the loop and end the paradox is to take you back to your own time and destroy the watch." With that, he lunged for Luke, the teen leaping back again and slashing at the air with the dagger to hold him at bay. The scientist backed away with a curse, his eyes falling on a nearby collection of antique canes in the green room. Snatching one up from its place among its peers, Don Paolo began advancing steadily as he kept his gaze moving between the teen and the dagger.
"So that's how you knew about me. You're from the future where I succeeded in foiling your plans! And yet here you are, trying to thwart a success that has yet to happen." Luke growled, flicking the blade before himself in a makeshift attempt to shield himself and defend against any sudden movements, "So what does that have to do with taking me back to my own time period? What would you possibly gain? I'll just make another Binder and jump through time, over and over until I have won!" Don Paolo kept his grin in place, tightening his grip on the cane.
"But therein lies the paradox's end. When I take you back under the conditions I have set, you'll never want to jump through time at all!" he crowed, "In fact, the Binder and Slipstream will probably have never existed!" The door to the green room suddenly banged at that moment and Luke made the mistake of moving against the source of the sound, leaving himself open to the scientist's strike. A sweep of the cane sent Luke's dagger flying while the door banged again, this time bursting open under the blows of Harold's kicking. Hershel had only to glance into the room as the Layton family hurried in before bursting into screaming wails.
"That's the bad man!" he shrieked wildly, pointing at Don Paolo cornering Luke on the other side of the room.
"Fiend! Step away from that boy at once!" Harold declared, pointing a rapier in his direction, the very thing he had sent the waiter to retrieve for him from his own office. The scientist laughed, waving at them as if they were little more than gnats buzzing at his ear. Helena set Hershel down and sent him running for aid while she took up an antique cane herself, standing by her husband with a fierce glare.
"Hateful little man, do as we say this instant!" she yelled, "I'll not allow you to bring harm to my son's mentor and friend!" Both parents lifted their weapons challengingly and Don Paolo laughed again, standing aside and bowing towards them.
"Ah, but will you allow him to harm your family and destroy your name for all time?" he asked in return, then crashed through the window behind him, vanishing into the night with wild, maniacal laughter. Luke stood frozen by the wall, mind racing through all that he'd learned from the scientist. What exactly had happened in this time's future, his own past, that altered the events leading him to create the Time-Binder and Slipstream Device? What did this mean for his own mission? Harold began inspecting the room for damages as Helena walked up to him, talking softly, soothingly, while stroking his hair back from his face and checking for injuries. Numbed by the events, he let her go on, distantly watching Hershel run back into the room with a group of other men following after.
"Professor Layton! What is the meaning of this?!" the Director declared gruffly, "Your son burst onto the stage screaming bloody murder about an attack in our museum!" Harold finished his inspection, raising an eyebrow at the silver dagger lying on the floor. He picked it up with a handkerchief and tucked it into his coat before turning to the crowd of men.
"There was indeed an attack here, Director Kensley. Odan Polo attempted to subdue and kidnap my son's mentor; he fled through that window when my wife and I confronted him." he explained and gestured towards Luke, who spotted Harold put away the dagger and just sagged against Helena, dropping to a kneeling position on the floor as she knelt by him, continuing her soft crooning, "He's currently in shock, as you can see. Clearly, this Mr. Polo had used his donation as a ruse to lure Sir Luke out of the safety of our home and attempt another kidnapping, as this had happened numerous times before." The Director's eyes bulged in horror.
"By jove! Should we call for a constable?!" he blurted and Helena shook her head quickly.
"Certainly not, Director. That man may have accomplices lying in wait for news of Sir Luke. If his name is recorded or documented anywhere, one of them may find it and poor Luke will never have peace." she told him sternly, "For now, we will hide the events that transpired this night. Surely the donation will cover for repairs of the window and door. And Luke will press no charges against the museum for the reasons I have stated." She smiled gently as Hershel made his way to her quickly and hugged Luke's arm, obviously grateful that the teen was still there. Harold joined them, pulling Luke's free arm over his shoulders and hefting him to his feet, bending enough to keep him steady as the young man stood a good two or three inches shorter than himself.
"We'll be retiring for the rest of the evening, if you don't mind." he told the Director, "If one of you gentlemen would be so kind as to guide us to a rear exit?" One of the curators lifted a hand in volunteer and led the family away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*