(A/N) Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to upload this chapter. I had the whole thing written, but I couldn't think of a good way to end it. Eventually, I just settled for what I had.


I gaped as a saw the man from my dream, right there in front of me. My mind started spinning. What was going on? And did he just say… Professor… Layton?

"Luke, come on in, my boy. It's only Clive."

The boy Luke walked in nervously. Then he noticed me. "No, it's not!" he gasped, gaping at me. "Professor, look!"

The Professor turned to look at me. "Oh my," he said to himself.

I cowered away, suddenly self-conscious.

"Magenta, don't be afraid," Clive said. "I know them already; they aren't going to try to kill you."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? Because everyone else that you knew from your past has threatened me in some way. Well, except for Lockjaw, but he seems kind of slow."

I turned to the man. "You… you're Professor Layton?" I asked timidly, hating myself for acting so shy.

The Professor nodded. "Yes, that would be me."

"And I'm Luke, the Professors assistant!" the boy Luke chirped.

"Oh. Well, hi, Professor. Hi, Luke. I-I'm Magenta."

"Magenta?" Luke said, amused. "Isn't that a color?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I-I actually don't have a name, and since my hair is magenta, people call me Magenta."

The Professor nodded. "Fitting, isn't it?" he said, equally amused.

I blushed. "Yeah, that's what I said." I turned to Clive. "Is this the Professor Layton you told me about?" I asked. "You know, the one in your story?"

He nodded. Then he turned back to the Professor. "Professor, I… I don't know what to say," he admitted, but I wasn't really paying attention.

Layton. Layton Layton Layton. Where had I heard that name before?

Suddenly, something clicked inside my brain. I stood up. "Um, excuse me, Professor? I have a serious question for you."

He turned to me. "But of course," he said.

I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't happen to work at Gressenheller University, would you?" I asked.

The Professor nodded. "As a matter of fact, I would," he replied.

"And… did you by any chance happen to know someone named Claire?"

He froze. "How on earth do you know about Claire?" he asked.

I pushed the hair out of my eyes. "I-I was her sister," I told him.

Layton shook his head. "That-that's not possible," he stuttered. "Inspector Chelmey told me that—"

"Before you say anything, there's no record of me ever being born." I stared directly at him.

The Professor stared at me, dumbstruck, as did Luke and Clive. "Impossible," all three said at once.

I averted my eyes. "I know it seems bizarre, but it's true. I wasn't born in a hospital, and I was never legally registered with the government as a citizen."

Clive crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "You never told me that," he said indignantly. He turned his back to me. "I thought we were friends, Magenta."

I shook my head. "Clive, this isn't a time for jokes," I told him, but I was smiling anyway.

Professor Layton shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he said. "How come Claire never mentioned you?"

I shifted in discomfort. "My parents wanted to keep me a secret," I told him. "I'm supposed to have some kind of… 'special gift.' I still don't know exactly what this gift is yet, but I was told as a child that it would be revealed to me in a time of great need."

Clive uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on his hips. "What else have you been hiding from me, Magenta?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

I rolled my eyes. "You say that like you've told me everything," I told him.

He shrunk back, suddenly insecure. "I haven't hidden much from you," he insisted, but he felt guilty saying it. He knew he was lying.

He decided to change the subject. "So, Professor," he said, standing up straight. "Why have you come for a visit? I'm sure you must be extremely busy. So what makes this visit important enough to be worthwhile?"

The Professor reached up and touched the brim of his hat. "Oh. Yes. Luke and I are in the middle of an important investigation including Prime Minister Bill Hawks. It seems he's been causing quite the amount of trouble for some citizens."

Clive's face turned bright red with anger. "You're just noticing this now!" he exclaimed.

The Professor shifted in discomfort. "Well, that's why we're here, Clive. You've been wronged by the Prime Minister before. Luke and I thought that you might have some outside information."

He turned to Magenta. "Yes, I definitely have some information. But Magenta here would have to approve of me telling you first.

Magenta nodded. "You can tell them, Clive," she said quietly. "I'd rather let you tell than tell myself. You know I'm a little sensitive about it."

He shifted in discomfort. "You're sure?" he asked, his expression one of concern.

She nodded again. "Anything to stop Bill Hawks," he said, grinning.

Clive smiled. Then he turned back to Professor Layton. "Professor, this girl claims that Bill Hawks killed her sister, who was a scientist. Her parents, also scientists, found out that he had killed her. Hawks did not want the public to hear of his crime, so he had them murdered, then set her house afire. She has told me that she was kidnapped by him and had lived in his custody for most of her life."

Layton's face grew grim. "Hmm," he said, closing his eyes.

"That's awful," Luke whispered. He walked over to me. "How could you ever put up with that for so long?" he asked amazedly.

I shrugged. "I was too little to do anything," I said simply. "I tried running away a few times, but that never worked."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Bostro thrust the door open. "I heard you had visitors," he stated. Then his eyes widened as he saw The Professor and Luke. "Layton!" he cried.

Luke gasped. "I remember you!" he cried. "You shot guns at us!"

Layton nodded, crossing his arms. "Yes, I know you. I believe your name is Bostro, isn't it?"

Bostro let out a low growl, clenching his fists. Then he grinned. "The Prime Minister will be happy to know you've been eliminated," he smirked. He slammed the door, and I froze as I heard the awful click of the lock.