Hi Everyone! RML here with my new obsession...er...I mean new fanfiction...Oh, what the heck. Yes, Professor Layton is my new obsession. Deal with it. lol Okay, so, lately, I've been watching a lot of Professor Layton stuff on youtube and, when I first started typing this, had just finished watching a walkthrough of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. Which, in my opinions, has one of the saddest endings in a video game I have seen in a long time. Up there with the whole of Mother 3. lol Okay, so, just this last weekend, I managed to get my hands on my own copy of Professor Layton and the Curious Village and Professor Layton and the Unwound Future for about $33 total. :) Thank you Best Buy and Gamestop! ^^ So, yeah, I've been very happy. And, since I can now play through the game myself, I am able to figure out how things will play out with this story. Speaking of which...

Anyways, I've been in a real Professor Layton mood and I came up with this story. Now, before we get started with the actual story, I just want to say right now that there is going to be a lot of time skipping in the first...oh, about 4 to 5 chapters. The reason for this is because the main part of this story takes place 10 years after the prologue you are about to read, but important stuff happens in between that needs to be taken into account before the exciting, main part of the story begins. So, think of the first 4 chapters as a part of a really long introduction. But, enough about that. You'll see for yourselves in the next few days or so. I'm going to try to write out the chapters as best I can and as fast as I can, so...yeah. I've already got 3 chapters done and am starting on the fourth after I finish this, so...

Anyways, enough of my rambling! On with the story!

Clive: *glares* You forgot the disclaimer, RML.

RML: *eyes widen* You aren't supposed to be here yet! *shoves Clive into Authoress Closet*

Clive: What? HEY! LET ME OUT! *starts banging on the door*

RML: He does have a point though. I don't own Professor Layton or any characters from the series. I do own Shira, her mother, her sister and...that's about it in this chapter. lol Anyways, ENJOY!

Clive: *from Authoress Closet* Hey, what's this? *flames burst out from under Authoress Door*

RML: Oh Crap! He found my Authoress Flamethrower! Gotta Go!

Luke: ...So...uh...just to let you all know, this will be the only chater that has a MAJORLY long Authoress note at the beginning...most likely...maybe...er...Hi Everyone! *waves at readers*

Clive: *manages to break down Authoress Closet door and starts chasing RML with Authoress Flamethrower* You are so DEAD for locking me in there!

RML: LUKE! HELP ME! GET THE PROFESSOR!

Luke: *sweatdrop*

"You promise not to take too long, Shira?" My mother asked me as I went to grab my sleeveless coat from the hook by the door. It completed my summer attire, all short sleeves, though my warm coat also was hung up nearby in case a London storm ever swept in, which they did often.

However, this day was just perfect. A beautiful day. It was just too bad my younger sister, of 7 years to my 13, was sick in bed. Which was why I was preparing to walk out the door, so that I may fetch some medicine and herbal tea in the hopes that she would be better by the day's end.

"Yes, Mother. I promise. The pharmacy is not very far off from here. It should not take me too long." I said, slipping my tan newsboy hat on over my shoulder length blond hair.

My mother smiled at me as I turned towards her, her hand outreached with the money for the medicine and tea in it. She dropped the pounds into my hands before kissing me on the cheek and leading me towards the door. "Now, just be careful. I don't you getting hurt while you are out there. You know how the hooligans of London can get."

I chuckled at this, only to realize that Mother was slightly glaring at me, showing me she was not kidding in what she said.

"Oh, and one more thing, Shira. I heard that some kind of experiment was to take place next door today, so, I want you not to go inside to see Claire today. She's going to be very busy and I do not want you bothering her while she's doing her work."

I simply nodded, opening the door and stepping outside to a soft breeze. "Alright Mother, I will be sure to leave be today, only going to get the things for Kay before returning. It should take me no longer than 20 minutes to get there, get it, and come back."

"Alright, I'm counting on you dearie." Mother called out to me as I left our small apartment. Ever since Mother had left Father, mainly because of abuse, we had lived in the small apartment next to some scientific institute.

It was there where my mother, my sister, and I met Claire. She was a very kind woman and she often came over for tea when she had her breaks from working as an assistant. For some reason though, Claire and I were better friends than her and my mother. She was like the older sister I could confide in about my problems and worries.

There were many a night when we would stay up late and talk. She would tell me about her boyfriend, a young archeologist professor by the name of Hershel Layton, and I would tell her of the boy who lived two floors down, by the name of Clive. She told me she was hoping that, someday soon, he would propose to her. I could see the true love in her eyes when she had said that. She loved this man more than anything and I just knew she wanted to be there for him, always.

I smiled as my thoughts went to the conversation we had had the day before.

I was just finishing up with brewing some tea when a knock came to the door. Since Mother and Kay had left for the afternoon for Kay's doctor's appointment, I walked briskly to the door, glancing past the curtain to see a big box and a familiar clump of hair towards the top of it. Smiling, I opened the door, greeting my guest and friend.

"Good afternoon, Claire. Would you like to come in?" I moved out of the way, allowing her to come inside. I closed the door behind her as she set the box down on the kitchen counter and sat down on one of the bar stools we used for lounging around. She grinned at me as made my way towards the tea.

"Would you like some tea, Claire?" I asked her as I took the kettle off of the hot stove, shutting off the fire before setting about getting a few tea cups and saucers out of the cupboard.

"I would very much like that. Thank you, Shira." She replied as she started to wipe her fogged up glasses clean.

I set the two sets of tea cups and saucers down, pouring out tea for the two of us before I took my own seat. She took a sip of her tea before her eyes brightened happily. "Oh, Cayenne Twilight! My favorite!"

I chuckled. "I figured you were going to come over today, so I thought I'd brew some up." I took a sip of my own tea, the light taste of it soon leaving a spicy aftertaste in my mouth. I closed my eyes and smiled, allowing the tea to put me into a state of calmness.

I opened my eyes again a few moments later, my curiosity piquing as my gaze fell on the large box that Claire had brought in. "So, Claire. What is inside the box, if I may ask?"

She took another sip of her tea before setting the cup and saucer down, her eyes twinkling. "It's a gift for Hershel. He's starting to become quite renowned in his professional position, so I thought I would get him a gift. I brought it over to see what you thought of it before I gave it to him tomorrow."

My eyes quickly got the same twinkling in them as excitement rose up inside of me. What could Claire have gotten her dear Professor? I just had to know. "Well, now you've got me excited! Let's see it!" I exclaimed giddily.

Claire laughed as she stood up. "Okay, okay. Don't get your knickers in a twist." She said playfully as she clutched the top of the box, pulling the larger part of the box off, revealing a blackish-brown top hat with a tomato red band tied around the base.

I was speechless for a few moments, causing Claire to worry a little bit.

"Well, do you think he'll like it?"

I smiled warmly at her, patting her on the shoulder. "I think he'll love it, Claire. Besides, a top hat is very becoming of a gentleman, isn't it?"

"How right you are, Shira. He is quite the gentleman. I don't think there's another like him in all of London."

"Or even all the world!" I declared, getting a chuckle out of my ginger haired friend. "You know, I don't think you have introduced me to this fine gentlemanly boyfriend of yours. I would very much like to meet him." I smirked as I continued. "Besides, maybe he can teach that little cheeky monkey downstairs a thing or two about being a gentleman."

Another laugh. "Aw, Shira. He can't be that bad."

I smirked. "You want to bet on that?"

Claire just shook her head as she put the box back over the exquisite top hat. "Oh, Shira. You'll see. I'm sure that he'll be a proper gentleman before too long." She winked. "Just you wait. He may just end up sweeping you off your feet. And, about you meeting Hershel, you're right. I'll be sure to bring him by sometime so you may meet him, how about that?"

I clapped my hands together in excitement. "That would be wonderful, Claire!"

"Well then, I'll be sure to speak with him about taking time off to come down for here a visit. But, for now, I really should be going. I'm supposed to have dinner with him tonight and I need to get ready." She said as she stood up to leave. She leaned in close though, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Though, just between you and me, I think he may just pop the question tonight."

My eyes widened. "Really? ! That would be awesome, Claire! I wish you the best tonight!"

Claire smiled as she picked up the hat box, carrying it to the door. "I wish you the best of luck too, Shira. I think you should talk with that boy. Who knows, maybe something will spark between you two. You just never know."

I nodded as I opened the door for her. "Okay, I'll see about talking with him as soon as I can, okay?"

Claire smiled a knowing smile. "That's all I ask. Goodbye, Shira. And thank you for the tea. It was delightful." She paused for a moment before turning back to me, a serious look having fallen over her face. "And one more thing, Shira. If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to call on me or Hershel. You two may not have met yet, but, because you are a friend of mine, I don't think he'll mind too much in helping you. Besides, helping people in need is what a gentleman does."

I nodded before I started waving. "Alright Claire. Thank you. Bye!" I waved goodbye, my mind dwelling on a small, bad feeling that was rising up. I brushed it away though as I went back to my seat. "Relax, Shira. Nothing bad is going to happen. Everything will be fine." I told myself as I took another swig of my tea.

Now that I thought back to that, that feeling of uneasiness came swelling back. And, for some reason, I just couldn't shake it off. Maybe it was that intuition that Mother always told me I had. But, whatever the reason, it was there and it was telling me that something was terribly wrong.

I shook my head though as I finally arrived at the pharmacy. "Calm down, Shira. Nothing is wrong, okay?" I berated myself as I stepped inside, waving at the lady at the counter before walking towards where the herbs were. "Okay, let's see. Tonic Flower, Tonic Flower…Aha!" I exclaimed as my eyes fell upon what I was searching for.

I reached for the glass container which held the healing herb inside of it, my hand wrapping around it and bring it towards me when, suddenly, a massive booming sound echoed into the room, accompanied with an earthquake-like shaking. The bottle holding the Tonic Flower fell out of my hands, shattering on the floor as I lost my footing, my bum landing onto the floor as a large dust cloud swept past outside.

The feeling of dread filled me again as I scrambled to my feet, rushing out the door. Whatever had just happened, it had happened in the direction of my home. I could see dozens of people clambering out of their own homes, in hope to investigate what had just taken place.

There were no sirens wailing, so why was it that everything around me seemed so deafening?

Then I rounded the last corner…and I could feel my world shattering around me, the cacophony from before having turned completely silent.

Smoke and fire rose up from what remained of the laboratory that Claire worked as an assistant in. I just knew in my inner being that she had not made it out. The apartments were in just as bad repair, having been within the blast radius. My mother and my sister had been in those apartments.

At this thought, tears welled up into my eyes as I collapsed to my knees. They were gone. They were all gone and nothing I did would ever bring them back. They were all I had.

There was one fleeting moment where I told myself that, maybe, they were still alive and I could save them. But, I knew better. Nobody could survive that. I mean, blimey! The aftermath of the blast reached all the way to the pharmacy! No, they were gone. And all I could do was sob bitterly as my world crumbled around me.