Warnings: Being held at gunpoint.
Spoilers: For Azran Legacy
Set: During Azran Legacy
Song: I'll Be Good by Jaymes Young

Gunpoint (Desmond & the Bostonius crew)

It ends as it began- in Froenborg's ice cave.

I'm inspecting the gateway to the Azran's greatest legacy when Layton and Co arrive.

An unwanted sense of déjà vu washes over me.

That day we joined forces, we exchanged smiles and handshakes.

Now, I reciprocate Layton's shout with a sneer.

"The final Azran puzzle is mine to solve, and mine alone."

I don't need their help. I don't need him…

My resolve wavers slightly (not that I let it show) when Aurora begs me to reconsider.

There's so much more feeling in her voice than when we first found her. It's simply an assimilation of human speech- an Azran trick… Or so I try to convince myself.

Why, then, do I want to listen to her?

Why did I teach her how to read, attempt to explain my jokes to her, and shield her from any strangers we encountered-?

"Stay where you are, all of you!"

And… Cue Bronev, swaggering in with a pack of armed agents. (I can almost hear Targent's evil theme music playing in the background.)

Bronev announces that 'he' (no 'they' this time) will take it from here. He orders us to hand over the key, just as he ordered us to hand over Aurora. His agents cock their guns, in case we didn't get the message.

Emmy clenches her fists. I picture my partner, gripping her sword.

Luke and Aurora edge closer to Layton. I feel my daughter, nestled against my side.

The key is hidden under my cape. Bronev doesn't know that, though. Any one of us could be have it. It could be under Layton's hat, up Emmy's sleeve, or inside Luke's satchel…

Once again, the choice comes down to me. Either I comply with Targent's demands…or I lose everything I hold dear.

I imagine Targent tearing us apart, one by one, until they find the key. In that time and through that chaos, I could escape from the cave. I could avoid the gunfire, as I've done before. Raymond isn't here to save me if I get caught, but he's waiting right outside.

I could do it, and leave my companions to die.

"Pfah!" I spit. I hurl the key at Bronev's head. He catches it and laughs.

Emmy and Luke glare at me- ungrateful brats- but Layton nods in thanks.

All I can do is shrug.