Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise.

The Reunion

Desmond stopped halfway through an empty street to catch his breath. He didn't want to admit it, but everything was starting to catch up with him. The lack of sleep, the fright of the fight with the puppets, seeing the life drain out of his brother's eyes, Emmy's possible lethal wound and his own injuries. It was all too much. His worry for his daughter and niece didn't really help either. He knew that if he were to at least see them again, he would feel so much better. He grabbed his side and flinched when the open wound stinged painfully. He should have probably gotten it checked out back at the inn… but they had a more important patient on their table.

He breathed out a shaky sigh and turned to look at his brother. Hershel had his head turned to the street, making it hard to make out his features is the pouring rain. When Desmond moved closer, he could tell that he had an empty look on his pale face. He wasn't doing great either. A faint line on his neck reminded Desmond of the terror he felt when he saw Hershel's eyes roll in the back of his head. If he had looked even a second later…

No.

He shook his head and tried to erase the thought out of his mind. No need to torture himself any more. This town did that plenty. Instead, he grabbed a hold of his shoulders. They both needed to get it together.

''Hershel,'' he said softly.

The professor looked up at his brother with the saddest eyes Desmond had seen in a while.

''I need you to focus alright? This town is dangerous, as we have just confirmed. We need both of our heads to make it out of here with our family intact. Emmy is in good hands, I'm sure. Once we have found Flora and Aurora, I promise you we will return to her side as soon as possible. In the meantime, I need your help in this… okay?''

He tried to say in the gentlest way possible. His brother was strong in a way that he could face any foe… but losing another dear to his heart… might shatter him completely. Hershel sucked in a deep breath and slapped himself on his cheeks.

''You're right. I apologize.''

Desmond gave him a small squeeze before letting go.

''Now, let's think. Where could our girls have gone?''

Hershel placed his hand on his chin and closed his eyes. Desmond couldn't help but smile a little at the display. It was a habit of his when he really focussed on solving a certain puzzle or finding the next clue. He was glad to have him back.

''They would probably have sought out shelter. Some place where the replicas would be unable to reach them.'' Hershel said.

''Yes, but that would mean we would have to search every house, which would be a task far too difficult without getting in danger.''

''Very true,'' Hershel looked to the sky.

Maybe there was a clue that could bring them closer to the answer. If only he…

''Wait a second. Des, look up.''

Desmond followed his brother's gaze to the sky and lifted his brows a little.

''What do you suppose that is?''

''It looks like…'' Hershel mumbled. ''A plank?''

Something clicked in both the gentleman's minds at that moment. They remembered the camera angles in the room they were trapped in, and realised that they were all pointed to the streets. If this was something someone had noticed, they might have created a system over the rooftops to avoid said cameras.

''Brilliant.''

''You think they are made by ours?'' Desmond asked.

''I think not, but they might have run into someone that could have.''

''Let's try to find a way up.''

The professor nodded as they continued to run through the streets. They couldn't stay in one place for too long, otherwise the camera's would pick up on their location. Now hopefully, they could find a place to get onto the roofs.

''Hello Aurora.''

Aurora couldn't believe her eyes. In front of her she saw the man that revived her. The one that made sure she had another chance in this world. And yet… he felt… off.

''Who is this?'' James asked before taking a stance before the girl.

He could tell that she recognised the man, but her eyes seemed too shocked to fully trust him just yet.

''I am her father, young man. And who are you?''

''I… don't know if I should tell you…'' James hesitated.

''Aurora dear, I've been looking for you everywhere.'' Desmond pleaded. ''I don't know what happened but I'm so happy to see you again.''

He smiled at her, trying to gain her trust. Aurora didn't know what to do. Something about this man… felt so close to her father and yet…

''Prove it.''

''I beg your pardon?''

''Prove that you really are Desmond Sycamore.'' Aurora's voice soared through the empty street.

The man adjusted his glasses and sighed.

''Very well. My name is not truly Desmond Sycamore. I am Hershel bronev, but have gone by different aliases. One of which you know as Jean Descole.''

''What do you think, Aurora?'' James asked. ''Can we trust him?''

Aurora stared into his eyes in search of something. He felt human. More human than the other puppet that was with them before. He also told her something that was true. And yet…

''I am happy to see you again Professor Sycamore.'' Aurora took a step past James and closer to Desmond.

Desmond smiled happily and nodded.

''It's good to see you as well dear.''

Aurora sucked in a deep breath, grabbed the dulled knife out of her back pocket and quickly made her move. It all happened so fast that neither James nor the professor had time to move before she sliced her knife through his stomach. The puppet grunted as he fell to his knees. A few loose red strings fell to the ground instead of the usual blood.

''Whenever the professor and I see each other again, he always asks me to address him as father.'' Aurora said with a cracked voice. ''After every school day. After every trip. After every vacation. He asks me to let him in. You are not him. He would never be this distant to me. Ever.''

''Shit.'' the puppet groaned. ''Fine, but let me leave you with this warning. The next time I see you again, you won't be able to tell the difference.''

He leapt forward in an attempt to grab her, but James quickly pulled her back. Aurora screamed in panic as she crashed into James' chest. The puppet jumped back, twisted his head and laughed maniacally as he scaled the side of the building opposite of them in an unnatural way.

After running through Alderfall for what felt like an eternity, Desmond finally spotted a place where they could possibly climb up. One of the slightly smaller houses had a slanted roof with a large trash bin to the side. If they were careful enough, they would be able to climb up safely. Desmond jumped up effortlessly, his acrobatic skills still present from his days as Jean Descole. Hershel had a bit more trouble, but thankfully managed to get up with the hand of his brother.

He wouldn't normally give in this easily, since the two happened to compete often over these kinds of things, but today was different. They were both beaten down mentally and physically, making it hard to focus on trivial matters as such. Once one the roof, the professor quickly spotted a way to cross to another. From the looks of it, almost every roof was connected in some form or way. It was done rather brilliantly, if not for the poor execution of choosing rotting planks and cardboard from time to time.

The two adults had opted to just jump more times than one instead of using the provided crossing just in case. Once they had made their way into the middle of town, Desmond asked for a small break. His side was absolutely killing him. He sat down on the edge of the roof and placed one of his hands against the throbbing wound.

''Let me see.'' Hershel said softly.

When Desmond removed his hand, Hershel could see three rather large cuts in his side. They looked like they were pretty deep, requiring some stitching once they had the opportunity.

''Maybe we could find some alcohol somewhere to clean the wound.''

''That… would be wise.'' Desmond replied with a small grunt as he tried to get up again.

They had no time to rest for long. Once he had gotten up and ready to go, a loud scream echoed through the streets from somewhere nearby. A scream... That they recognised.

The men jumped down into an alley close to the scream. It had to be her. They had found her. Desmond ran through the street, ignoring the searing pain from his burning body. He had to see her. He had to save her.

''Aurora!''

Aurora turned around with a start, the fear and shock still apparent in her turquoise eyes. She watched with quick breaths as another Desmond Sycamore and Hershel Layton approached from the other end of the street. Panic set in with the possible upset that it was yet another puppet. She got ready to defend herself with the knife again, but frowned when the man she considered her guardian ran closer and closer, ignoring the knife entirely. His face was unreadable and his movements were quick. She would only have a small opportunity to…

Before Aurora could even think about what to do next, she felt a pair of arms pull her close against a warm body. The knife fell to the ground as she was squished just a little too tight.

''Oh thank god you're alright…'' she heard him mumble.

Something overwhelmingly pure shot through her body which she hadn't felt in a long time. Something closely resembling… relief? She wrapped her own arms around him and buried her face into his slightly wet jacket.

''Dad…''

She was surprised by the sudden hug, but this was absolutely undoubtedly him. Actually him, not a deranged puppet version. And she wanted nothing more than to just stay like this for as long as possible.

Desmond could feel something warm seep into his otherwise cold clothing. He could feel his own eyes start to prick as well. But for now, he could only smile as he finally embraced his daughter again.

''You're finally calling me dad…''

After the touching reunion, Desmond and Aurora separated from their embrace and dried their tears. There was no doubt that they were all really there. The only problem for both parties was… not everyone was present. The professor received a hug from Aurora as well, before she introduced James.

''He and another girl named Vivian have helped us stay hidden from the puppets.''

''Puppets?'' Desmond tilted his head. ''That's actually a surprisingly proper name for them…''

He thought back to the burning heaps of string they left behind in front of the forest. Everything pointed in the direction of them being genuine puppets. But how did they move? How did they get some form of consciousness? And why were they so… evil?

''Where is Flora right now?'' Hershel asked.

''She is in the library with Vivian. We thought of a plan to break in to see what the puppets were guarding.'' James explained.

''My, we certainly have a lot of catching up to do.'' Desmond said with a sigh.

James and Aurora beckoned the two adults to follow them. For now, they had planned to keep a lookout on top of the rooftop until they received the signal from Flora and Viv to get them out. They turned into the alleyway with the ladder, when Aurora realised they were also one person short.

''Wait, where is Emmy? Was she with you?''

Desmond and Hershel both stopped in their tracks. What were they going to tell her?

''She was…'' Desmond started, unsure how to end it, as he turned to his brother.

They just looked at each other for a moment, waiting for the other.

''We should tell her.'' Hershel finally said.

''I know…'' Desmond sighed.

''Tell me what?''

Aurora could feel her chest tighten when she looked at the two adults. Their expressions told her that something happened. Something bad.

''We were forced to fight our doubles and… Emmy was injured...'' the professor said, his voice trailing off at the end.

''Emmy? Injured? But…''

Aurora couldn't really believe it. She had always looked up to Emmy and her strength. She taught her so much regarding combat, the woman almost seemed untouchable.

''She had already suffered a minor head injury before. It could be that it slowed her reaction time.'' Desmond speculated.

''Where is she now?'' Aurora asked, worried.

''She is back at the inn. The innkeepers are taking care of her.'' the professor explained with the faintest smile.

He didn't want to go into detail. It wouldn't help the girl. For now, they needed to focus on getting Flora back.

''And… what about your hat?''

The professor sighed as he was reminded of his hatless existence. He combed his fingers through his wet, messy hair.

''I lost it. If you see it somewhere my dear, please let me know, alright?'' he said with a small smile.

''Of course!''

Aurora knew what it meant to the older man. James in the meantime, had activated the device through which they would be able to climb on top of the roofs. Everyone followed him to the top, where they would quickly find out that someone had been waiting for them...