Hello readers,
Here's the next chapter.
Djinn – Thank you so much. I can't believe I've almost finished my second arc. It feels like yesterday when I first published the first chapter of my first ever story. Thanks again.
Dikratsblim – Thank you for the support. I'm also glad you're reviewing my other stories as well.
Hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 6: The Beloved Queen of Ambrosia
The Detra-giant stomped it's way across the island. It tore up the ground with its saw arm, it pulled up trees with its claw arm and dug into rock with its drill tail.
The driver of the monstrosity cackled in sadistic glee as he punched buttons and pulled levers on the control panel. There was nothing that could stop Descole in his mad pursuit for Ambrosia.
"Rise, Ambrosia!" he shouted, "Give me your secrets. I command you. Show yourself!" he demanded.
Melina stepped away from the scientist, unnerved by his insanity. She needed to stop him, but there was nothing she can do without risking Janice's body from getting damage.
That's when she heard something.
It was hard to hear over the creaking of metal and the destruction down below, but she swore she heard a propeller. She turned and gasped when she saw the Grasshopper flying near the Detra-giant, making sure it was keeping a safe enough distance from it.
The hastily made flying contraption was piloted by Layton while Edgar was in the back. He gave her a reassuring wave to say that they were coming to save her. Melina had to admit that her cheeks turned rosy when she saw Edgar.
Descole heard Melina gasp and look towards her. He saw the Grasshopper and sneered at it in annoyance.
"Layton," he growled to himself.
"And Edgar, you pompous ass!" Edgar shouted somehow hearing Decole's muttering from a distance.
"You think you can stop me with that contraption?" he mocked as he pulled a lever on the control panel.
Edgar saw it first and tapped Layton's shoulder to warn him.
"Prof, watch out!" he shouted as the round saw came hurtling towards them.
Layton gritted his teeth and pulled the lever up on the Grasshopper. In the nick of time they managed to avoid the saw that Descole tried to him them with. They sighed in relief as the saw swung passed them and tried to land find a place to land on the Detra-giant.
Melina saw what happened and decided to she couldn't let Descole hurt them.
"I warned you not to get in my way," Descole muttered to himself.
He then gasped in shock as Melina jumped onto Descole's back and tried to pull him away from the controls.
"Stop it!" she cried as she wrestled with the man.
However, Descole growled and managed to overpower her.
"Get out of my way," he snarled as he pushed her away from him.
Melina tripped on a while and fell on her back. A sudden movement from the Detra-giant made her slide closer and closer to the edge before she fell of the side.
Lucky, she grabbed hold a loose wire that was strung across the front of robot and she hung onto it for dear life. She looked up to see if there was away to climb up, but it was just out of her reach.
Edgar saw her hanging dangerous and narrowed his eyes in determination.
"Prof, get me closer. I need to save Melina," he demanded Layton.
Layton shook his head in denial, "It's too dangerous for you!" he replied.
"No offence, but I haven't been safe since we stepped foot into that theatre," Edgar argued, earning a light hum from Layton, "besides…" Edgar hesitated slightly, "I need to help her. Please," he softly begged.
Layton back at him. He saw the worry in his eyes and the devotion on his face. It became clear that this was the only way.
"Alright," the Professor said with a small smile, "I suppose it is gentleman's duty to help a lady in need."
Edgar rolled his eyes, "Don't twist my words. It's a decent person duty to help anyone in need. I ain't a gentleman."
Layton chuckled lightly before looking back to the front, "Hold on," he said as he directed the Grasshopper towards the ground.
The Detra-giant was slowly approaching a cliff that overlooked the sea. Edgar had no idea what Descole was planning but they had to stop it.
The Grasshopper landed clumsily under the Detra-giant and Layton drove it though it's legs. Nearing the cliff, Layton made the Grasshopper jump in front of the monstrosity so it was level to its front.
"We can't go any higher," Layton told Edgar as gravity took hold.
"Get me as close as you can," Edgar said, preparing to jump when opportunity reads its head.
Layton manoeuvred the Grasshopper to face the Detra-giant and flew as close to it as possible.
Edgar saw his target. A loose wire strung on the front of the robot, allowing him to climb to Melina.
He waited and waited, but, as soon as he was about to jump, the Detra-giant's large claw was hurled towards them. It scraped alongside the Grasshopper, causing Layton to temporarily lose control and Edgar to miscalculate his jump.
Edgar cursed as he fell short of his target. He reached out and grabbed a large wire a few meters from Melina, but it came loose on one end. He swung himself onto the wire and tried to find a solid place to grab onto. He noticed that the round saw was not spinning and tipped on its side creating a platform he could land on. He let go of the wire and tucked and rolled onto the saw, landing gracefully on it.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Edgar looked up at where Melina was holding onto dear life.
'The only way I can get to her is going along the arm. Hopefully, there's a wire I can climb up,' he thought to himself before he sprinted along the metal arm, 'I'm coming Melina. Don't worry.'
He ran along the arm, dodging the attacks Descole sent at him. He slid out of the way of the claw and jumped over the drill tail. Once he made it to the body he jumped off the and grabbed on to some of the sturdy wires looking wires and pipes towards Melina. He climbed up the closest wire to Melina, but there was still a significant gap between the two.
"Edgar!" Melina cried as he saw him coming closer.
"Hang on there, Melina," Edgar said, earning a dry look from her.
He gave her a sheepish smile, "That...wasn't supposed to be a joke," he told her honestly.
Edgar looked down at the gap between them, after a quick estimation, he would say it was about four meters across. He could use the wire to swing across. It was risky, but there was no other way of getting across.
If he messes this up...well, it's a long way down.
He began to swing on the wire, building up momentum. Once Edgar was satisfied, he let go and reached up to Melina's wire.
Descole had noticed Edgar's attempt to reach Melina and smiled deviously.
"Edgar Cipher..." he pulled down a lever, "Time to be rid of you."
He didn't spot the drill gunning towards him until the he was midway there. It was too late for him to move or do anything except stare at in horror.
"Edgar!" a shout rang out as blur flew between him and the drill.
Layton flew the Grasshopper into the drill's path. It pierced the hull of the Grasshopper and narrowly passed by Edgar.
Edgar managed to grab onto the wire Melina was on and watched as the drill sent the Grasshopper up into the sky, making it explode in the air. He was momentarily horrified at the thought of Layton being caught in the explosion, but sighed in relief when he spotted him clinging to the top of the Detra-giant. Layton pulled himself up, ready to confront Descole.
Edgar focused on helping Melina and edged along the wire to her.
"I'm going to push you up," Edgar told Melina, reading down to take her foot, "ready?"
"Ready," Melina said before her foot down on Edgar's hand.
Edgar pushed his hand up and lifted Melina up so she can grab onto the side. Once she had a firm grip, she reached her had down and pulled Edgar up with her.
Eventually, they climbed up and the two were laying on top of the Detra-giant, trying to get their breath back.
"So," Edgar said with a small smile, "would this be considered our second date?"
Melina giggled and returned a smile, "Third, actually. Our first was at the park and our second on the beach."
Edgar nodded, "I have to admit, I prefer the first two dates over this one," he said, making Melina giggle again.
The sound of metal clanging together made them turn around. Descole, who had got rid of his cape, was now sword fighting against Layton and his pipe.
'Where did he get a sword from?' Edgar thought questioningly before he rolled his eyes, 'he probably had one the whole time under his cape. He is so overdramatic.'
Descole swiped and stabbed elegantly with his sword while Layton parried and blocked just as skilfully. Edgar raised his eyebrow at how skilled Layton was and made a mental note to get him to teach him.
Layton aimed a swipe at Descole's stomach, but the scientist dodge in time.
"Too slow," Descole mocked with a superior smirk.
"You think so, Descole?" Layton asked as he walked toward the control panel of the Detragan.
Descole hummed in annoyance as Layton laid down the pipe and looked over the keyboard.
"The Ambrosian seal," Layton said as he turned to the scientist, "You only solved part of the puzzle."
Descole growled, "What are you talking about?"
"You found the songs of the sea and the stars," Layton told him, "But the seal shows not two songs but three, Descole," he declared earning a soft gasp from Descole.
"We have to give you credit," Edgar piped up, "we wouldn't of got it if you didn't show us that seal on the ceiling. The seal of Ambrosia is a circle meaning there is no right way up, so if you tipped it upside down another melody appears."
Layton picked up the notebook on the Detragan's stand and showed it to Descole. He gradually flipped the book upside down the secret melody hidden in the seal. The scientist took a closer look and saw the waves, when upside down, formed another pattern. A pattern that looked identical to depictions of a familiar celestial body.
"The sun," Descole gasped, taking a couple steps back in shock.
"Yes," Layton confirmed," the final key is...A Song of the Sun. Without that song, Ambrosia will never appear, Descole."
"Meaning, that didn't figure out shit," Edgar added with a small smirk.
Layton turned to the Detragan once again and placed his right hand on the keyboard. Looking briefly at the notebook, Layton started to play the Song of the Stars. The sweet melody flowed out of the instrument and drifted over the island once more.
Layton turned to Melina whilst he played the melody, "Melina, sing A Song of the Sea," He asked her earning a surprised expression from her and Edgar.
"Wait, we're actually going to raise Ambrosia? Like, right now," Edgar questioned. He wasn't expecting this at all.
Melina nodded in confirmation and started to sing A Song of the Sea. The two melodies entwined and danced once more, filling its listeners hearts with the gentle music.
But it still wasn't complete.
Layton turned back to the keyboard and flipped the notebook over. After a quick glance, he started the final song.
A Song of the Sun.
Once Layton's fingers pressed the correct keys, the last piece of the puzzle was put in place. While the first two songs were light and soft, this song was deeper and loud. It too entwined and took the music to new heights. Edgar didn't know how, but he could of sworn he heard something like a giant orchestra play along with the three songs. Not only that, but a heavenly choir harmonised with Melina making it more stronger, more powerful and more beautiful.
Edgar would look back on this day. Wonder what caused this phenomenon. Whether it was the Detragan's advance technology playing along or whether heaven opened up and all the angels sang or whether the music had awakened the ghosts of the Ambrosians, happy to hear their long forgotten song play once again.
Whatever it was. Edgar knew that what he heard on that day was pure, untainted beauty. Something he will never hear again for the rest of his life.
A green glow caught the corner of Edgar's eye. He turned and gaped as the waters around the white pillars start to glow. The glowing spread, circling the island in a rich glow.
Then something burst out of the water. Edgar's eyes widened in shock as a white building seem to rise from the ocean. It was old and beaten up by the hundreds of years of water damage and yet it stood proudly. Then, as the music started to get faster and louder, more sprung up; towers, complexes, houses. It took a moment for Edgar to realise that the building were not in fact rising, but the white pillars were actually pipes that drained away the water to reveal the long lost settlement. The water became lower and lower until Edgar could see roads and smaller buildings that hadn't met air in years. Soon an area twice the size as the island they were on appeared along with the lost settlement.
He didn't know when Layton and Melina stopped. To him the music echoed in his head and into his soul as he watched the ruins appear. A glance at the others and he could tell that the same thing was happening to them.
It was as if it was welcoming them and letting them all know that:
Ambrosia has once again risen.
The sound of metal snapped Edgar to attention. He turned sharply as he saw that Descole had thrown his sword at Layton. Luckily, it missed him and embedded itself into the Detragan, but the scientist wasn't giving up.
"Layton!" Descole screeched in fury as he charged the Professor.
Layton jumped out of the way and grabbed the pipe before Descole pulled his sword out and swung it at Layton. He pushed Layton back into the control panel which collapsed under his weight. The panel was severely damage as electrical sparks sprang from it.
"Ambrosia is mine and mine alone," Descole declared as he was about to swipe hopes sword down on Layton.
However, Edgar caught his arm from behind and gave him a left hook to the right side of his face. Descole was sent forwards by the blow and landed on the other control panel. That to collapsed under his weight, severely damaged, but Descole quickly recovered and swiped at Edgar with his sword. Edgar jumped back both to avoid the sword and the electrical sparks which shot out the Detragan.
Suddenly, the Detra-giant shuddered and moved erratically out of control, throwing everybody on it of their feet. The damage to the control panel sent the giant robot into a meltdown. Its limbs moved all by itself, hitting the main body and the surrounding area. Then the round saw collided with the front of the Detra-giant, creating a large explosion.
Edgar and Melina hugged each other as they held on tightly to the malfunctioning machine. He glanced up to see Descole stumble and fall off the side of the Detra-giant.
"Descole!" Layton shouted as he made his way to where Descole fell off. However, he couldn't see him among the thick foliage down below.
He didn't know how, but Layton reckoned that this will not be the last he sees of Jean Descole.
"Prof!"
Layton turned around to see Edgar help Melina to her feet and rushed to them.
Down below, Emmy and the others had followed the Detra-giant and were shocked to see that it was heading towards the cliff.
Emmy hummed in worry as she tried to figure out a way to get them off their, but her mind was drawing a blank.
"I say," Grosky said, "that thing looks as if it's going to explode," he observed as fire spread on the inside of the machine.
Amelia gasped in fear, "We have to help them," she cried as they continued to run towards the Detra-giant.
Back on top of the malfunctioning robot, Edgar noticed how it was headed to the cliff and turned to Layton.
"Professor, what need to get off this now," he informed him.
Layton looked around, trying to find a way to get off. He looked at the cliff and got an idea.
"Follow me, you two," Layton said as he led Melina and Edgar to the back of the Detra-giant, "on my mark, we jump onto the cliff. Do you understand?"
The two nodded in agreement and waited for Layton to tell them to go. The Detra-giant's massive foot stepped off the the cliff and the whole thing began to tumble. Layton focused on the perfect timing to leap off the machine and onto the edge of the cliff.
They waited.
The other legs stepped off the cliff.
And waited
The main body started to fall.
And waited until the top of the head was level with cliff side.
"NOW!" Layton shouted before they all jumped of the Detra-giant and onto solid ground. The machine continued to fall and the front impaled itself onto one of the white pipes. It was quickly followed by a massive explosion that rocked the night and left the machine in total ruins.
They had defeated the Detra-giant.
Edgar laughed slightly at the scene. Thankful that they all survived.
"Next time I'll choose where our next date is goin-" he stopped his joke as he looked toward Melina.
His eyes widened in worry as he saw her unconscious body. He scrambled towards her and lifted her head slightly.
"Melina!" he cried in worry as he felt her wrist for a pulse.
He found one and he sighed in relief. He took of his jacket and placed it under her head to keep off the ground. Edgar looked up at the sound of rapid footsteps towards them and saw Emmy still carrying Nina followed by the others.
They all stopped at the sight, but Whistler continue to run towards them. He got on his knees and held her tightly.
"Is she..."
"She's fine," Edgar answered, "just knocked out. She'll wake up in a bit."
Whistler nodded and continued to hold her hand as they waited for her to awaken.
Melina remembered the times she was alive and in her own body.
Memories of her walking with her father along the beaches of Ambrosia. Feeling the sand beneath her feet and smelling the salty sea air. She recalled the long talks she would have with her father about music or other unimportant subjects.
She remembered the times when her father played the piano while she sang. She had never seen her father so happy when they performed together.
She remembered when she was ill in her bed and her father would tell her about his latest concert or opera he had written. Trying to ignore the fact that her time was coming to a close.
Finally, she remembered the day that she died. Janice was sat by her bed, grief stricken and tears starting to leak from her eyes. She remembered taking off her necklace and giving it to her for safe keeping.
She then remembered the last thing she saw. Her father at the back of room, his head bowed solemnly. Janice's weeping getting worse.
That was the last thing she saw as her eyes shut for the very last time.
Melina woke up to sound of her father calling her. She opened her eyes and saw his tired, relieved face. He helped her sit up and saw that she was on the cliff. Edgar, Layton and the others giving the two space a couple feet away.
"Melina!" Whistler gasped as he hugged her tightly, "Please don't ever scare me like that again. I miss you so much. Never leave me, Melina."
"Father..." she tried to say but the words got caught in her throat.
"Let's go home," Whistler told her as he pulled away excitedly, "We'll play piano the together. We'll have so much time. We will play every day..."
"I'm sorry," Melina said, stopping her father's chatter, "Dear father, I have only ever brought you grief and sadness, haven't I?"
"No," Whistler quickly denied, "You are my only joy and I couldn't save you," he said as he sadly shook his head.
"It was fate. There was nothing you could do."
"But I..." Whistler stammered as he tried to argue his case.
Melina held her father's hands comfortingly while she stared up at his eyes, "Listen to me. You have to start a new life."
Whistler pulled his hands away and gripped Melina's shoulders desperately.
"I don't want a new life!" he cried as tears started to form in his eyes.
Melina seemed taken aback by his outburst, but after a moment her expression relaxed into a small sad smile.
"I cannot stay here," she quietly said as Whistler lifted his hands of her shoulders, "But even if I am gone, dear father, I will still live on in your memory," she told him as she took his hands once again.
Edgar heard what she said. He didn't want her to go either. He would do anything to keep Melina on this earth for as long as possible. But he knew it was wrong. So instead of defying the laws of nature, he settled with a sad, reluctant sigh.
"Even though you won't see me, I will always be with you," Melina continued as she pulled her father up to his feet.
"Don't talk like that," Whistler begged before he wrapped in a tight hug once again, "please. Melina..."
Melina hugged him back, saddled by the grief she was causing.
"Father, do you remember what you used to say, when you left for a concert?," she questioned.
Whistler sniffed as he felt tears roll down his eyes, "No matter how far I am from you, wherever I go, you will always be in my heart," he answered her.
Melina smiled calmly and looked up at his face, "Father, no matter how far I go, I will always be in your heart...
Edgar felt a small hand grab his fingers and looked down to see Nina watching what was going on. He softly gripped her hand and turned back to Melina.
"...whenever you remember me, I'll always be there..."
Edgar glanced at the other onlookers and saw they upset expressions.
Melina pulled away from her father's embrace, earning an saddened gasp from, "I must go now, father," she told him, "thank you for loving me."
Whistler fell to his knees in sorrow as Melina turned away from him. He started to sob silently, not believing that this was happening again. Edgar walked up to him and kneeled beside him, rubbing the older man's back comfortingly.
He looked up at Melina as stopped short of the cliff edge. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Dreamscape
Melina stood in a celestial plain that was Janice's mind. She looked down and saw she was back in her own body. She looked to her right and saw Janice, the real Janice, standing beside her with tears forming in her eyes.
"Janice," Melina said in her own voice, "I am sorry to have borrowed you body for so long," she sadly said.
"Don't go Melina," Janice told her, You can stay."
Melina shook her head dismissivly, "Don't worry. It's best for everyone that I go now," she looked down at her necklace and admired it in her hand, "I'm so glad you treasured the special pendant that I left you," she told her.
"Melina," Janice said through tears, trying to suppress a sob.
"Farewell," Melina told her as she began to cry as well, "Janice, it's time for you to start living your own life again," she was about to leave the dreamscape before something came to mind, "I hope you don't mind what I'm about to do," she told her with a smile and a small giggle.
Janice looks dat her in confusion, but before she could question her, she had left the dreamscape.
Reality
Edgar looked at Melina who seemed to be in some sort of daze. Suddenly, she turned and faced the group once again.
"Farewell, father," Melina said to the man still weeping on the ground.
Whistler looked up at her with red eyes, "Melina..." he whispered before the rest of the words were caught in his throat.
She looked up to Layton, "Farewell, Professor Layton," she said.
Layton simply nodded, conveying his emotions through action.
"And farewell to all of you," Melina told everyone, "I am so glad that all of you were my very last memory."
She finally turned the person she wanted to say goodbye the least. Edgar couldn't bare to look up at Melina. He had only known for a short time, but she had such an impact in his life.
"Edgar," Melina called to him.
The boy in question took a deep breath and looked up at her with a fake smile, hiding his true emotions.
"I was worried there. I thought you were going to leave without saying goodbye to me," he said as he walked towards her.
Melina smiled kindly, "I would never do that."
Edgar let his smile drop slightly, "I haven't told you this, but...the day we met was my sister's funeral."
Melina's expression soften and she nodded solemnly, "I see. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Edgar told her shaking his head, "you helped me forgot life for a while...and I...and I," Edgar sighed before he looked into her eyes, "just...thank you for blessing me with your presence. You'll always be special to me."
The message was simple, but effective. Melina smiled and gently took his hands.
"You're special to me as well," Melina told him, "you have been so kind and caring to me, despite your...illegal tendencies," Edgar chuckled slightly, "I had never had so much fun when I was with you. I had been for so long that I forgot what it was to live and you took me by the hand and showed me thing I have never seen or experienced before," she raised her hand to his cheek and wiped the small tear from his eye, "please don't be sad. Keep on living and show others what it is like to live."
Edgar nodded, "I promise," he quietly said.
Melina giggled before she turned to Emmy, "Please look after him," she requested much to the brunette's surprise, "he's special to me."
Emmy blushed at the hidden meaning behind her words before she nodded firmly, "I will," she promised.
'I don't really need looking after, but I let this one go,' Edgar deadpanned in his head.
"Melina," Edgar said making her look at him once again, "can you do me favour? If you...meet a young girl with blonde hair called Agatha Cipher...can you...can you tell that her brother loves her."
Melina smiled kindly, "Something tells me that she already knows, but yes, I will tell her," she promised, earning an almost silent thank you from Edgar, "in return, can you do something for me?"
Edgar raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "Of course. What is it?"
Melina stepped closer to Edgar, "I would like to experience one last thing. Something that I have never done before."
Edgar blinked, "What is i-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence as Melina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips. Edgar was surprised at first, but kissed her back once he figured out was going on.
He was the only one shocked. Layton raised his eyebrows and covered Nina's eyes. Emmy facial expression seemed to be stuck between anger, disbelief and jealously. Amelia looked away in embarrassment. Grosky and Whistler seemed a little put off, especially Whistler since it was his daughter.
However, neither Edgar nor Melina cared.
And as the sun rose above the sea horizon, lightening up the sky with its morning glow, Melina spirit left Janice's body. She glanced back at Edgar one final time.
"Goodbye, Edgar. I love you," she whispered before she walked away and disappeared into nothingness.
Janice opened her eyes and pulled away from Edgar's face. The boy was disappointed the kiss ended, but judging by his wide grin, he was more then satisfied.
He frowned slightly when Melina gave him a confused and startled stare at him.
His grin dropped once he realised that he was kissing Melina anymore, but what was, essentially, a complete stranger.
Janice had woken up.
"Oh," Edgar uttered as Janice was too shocked to move away from him, "you must be Janice. Pleasure to meet you."
Janice yelped and jumped away from Edgar. She waved her hands in front frantically in front of her as he face turned completely red.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't not know Melina was going to do that," she cried, feeling absolutely mortified.
Edgar grin returned, "Oh don't worry. Why don't we-ow ow" he shouted in pain as Emmy dragged him away by the ear.
"Unbelievable," Emmy muttered in annoyance.
Janice recovered and her face fell in sorrow. She walked passed the sobbing Whistler towards Layton.
"Professor, Melina has left us," she quietly informed, "Is there no way to get her back?" she asked, not expecting a positive answer.
Layton didn't know how to respond to her, but he didn't have to.
"Left?" Edgar questioned as he escaped Emmy's wrath, "Oh, she's hasn't," he simply told Janice, surprising everybody.
"But she's-" Janice tried to say, but Edgar cut her off with a small laugh.
"I've been thinking about this for a while now," Edgar said, "but dead doesn't mean gone," he said with a shrug, "have you ever heard of the Ship of Theseus? A person possess a ship once belonging to a famous Greek warrior, but every time one of the wooden planks rots, the owner replaces it with a new one. If the owner replaces every wooden plank on the ship would it still be the Ship of Theseus? Furthermore, if you take all the rotten wooden planks and build a ship with it, would that be the Ship of Theseus?"
"What on earth are you talking about?" Grosky grumbled irritably, "What does that have to with anything?"
"Grosky, can you please think before you make self look like an idiot," Edgar quipped, sending the inspector a dirty look.
"Why you-"
"I don't know," Janice said, interrupting Grosky "which one will be the true ship?"
Edgar shrugged, "In my opinion, neither are," surprising Janice, "what made the Ship of Theseus the Ship of Theseus was the Greek warrior himself. The ship is just an old ship, but the legend of Theseus was known by those who remember him or by those who hears his tales, that's what makes the ship special. The ship rots while the memories of Theseus live on in the hearts of his admirers," Edgar explained as walked towards the cliff side and soaked himself in the rays of the morning sun, "it's the same with Melina. She may die, but our memories of her will live on," Edgar turned to Janice with a kind smile, "this means Milena hasn't left us. Not really. As long as you remember her."
Janice let Edgar's words sink in. He was right. Milena did tell them that she would not be gone as long as they remember her. She closed her eyes and recalled the times she had spent with her best friend. All those happy memories.
"Remember her," Janice softly said, "for always."
"I will remember as well," Amelia piped up, making everybody else agree.
They will always remember Melina Whistler.
Forever.
Grosky cleared his throat and approached Whistler who was still on his knees in sorrow.
"Mr. Whistler. I am afraid I must arrest you," Grosky told him.
Whistler sighed and wiped away his tears, "Very well," he quietly said as he rose to his feet.
He knew the devastation he caused and didn't not want to put up a fight. He will pay for his crimes.
However, before he could leave with the inspector, he spotted something further down the cliff side. He gasped as he saw the Detragan, well, what was left of the Detragan. Gone were the large instruments and most of its outer casing, leaving behind the keyboard and fifty or so damaged brass pipes.
Whistler ran towards it and hesitantly pressed on of the keys. The noise it made sounded horrible and off-key, but it still played. Whistler turned back to Grosky who seemed to be getting impatient.
"Please," Whistler begged as he pushed his round spectacles up his nose, "let me play one last song."
Grosky hummed irritably at the request, but seeing no harm in it, he allowed him to do so. Grosky walked away, but stopped in front of Edgar with a scornful look.
"You may have not done anything today, criminal, but remember one slip up and you're in the clink," he threatened before he moved on.
Edgar rolled his eyes and ignored him. Janice watched Grosky leave as she walked up beside the boy.
"He doesn't seem to like you much," she observed as she looked at Edgar's grinning face.
"Wait until he finds the mousetrap I put in his pocket. Then you will see how much he really doesn't like me," Edgar told Janice with an evil laugh.
Janice sweat dropped at his antics, but brushed it off when Whistler started to play his last song. It was the same music from the opera he had written for the memory of his daughter. Despite its dire state, the Detragan still played well and Whistler was pleased that it did.
As he played, Whistler temporarily forgot all the crimes that he committed and played for the daughter he dearly loved. Soon Janice joined in, singing her part of the song. She was as beautiful as ever. The voice of Janice and the music of the Detragan filled the morning sky, saying goodbye to a beloved person and welcoming the start of a new life for all.
Layton, Edgar and Emmy watched them perform while the sun rose in the background. It was amazing to watch.
"So, the secret of Ambrosia was not eternal life," Layton mused as they continued to play, "The Ambrosians live forever because we remember their beloved queen."
"And thus another mystery solved," Edgar sighed, rubbing his eye tiredly, "and not a moment too soon, I haven't slept a wink since the life boats."
Layton and Emmy chuckled slightly at his joke, never taking their eyes off the performance for a second. The sun had fully risen above the horizon, it's radiant, warm light washing over them. It illuminated some water droplets in the air, making them sparkle over the no longer lost city.
"What about Descole, Professor?" Emmy asked.
Layton sighed tiredly, "He is still at large, I'm afraid. However, we needn't need to worry. I have a feeling that we will encounter him again."
"Great," Emmy muttered sarcastically.
She turned to Edgar who seemed to be in deep thought over something.
"What's wrong?"
Edgar glanced at Emmy before turning his head away, "Nothing, it's stupid," he told her.
Emmy smiled mischievously and elbowed him in the shoulder, "Come on tell me," she urged teasingly.
Edgar rolled his eyes, "I just a thought that...what if Melina was a...reincarnation of the queen of Ambrosia," he said earning interest looks from Layton and Emmy.
Emmy was about to tease him, however Layton spoke first.
"I think she might have been, Edgar," Layton said earning curious looks from Edgar and Emmy, "The legend was said the kingdom would arise once more when its beloved queen returned," he told them.
Emmy and Edgar shared a look and the smiled at each other. Emmy slipped her hand into Edgar's and they all listened to the beautiful farewell to Melina Whistler...
The beloved queen of Ambrosia.
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"Edgar," Emmy said after a few moments, "where's the tuxedo I bought you?"
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Edgar slipped his hand out of Emmy's and started briskly walk away.
"I think I'm going to explore the ruins," Edgar told them, ignoring the heated glare from Emmy.
"Edgar," Emmy warningly called out as she began to follow him.
Edgar broke out into a light jog.
"Edgar," Emmy growled as she began to jog as well.
Edgar started to run.
"Edgar!" Emmy shouted as she ran after him.
Edgar started to sweat nervously as he sprinted away from the very angry assistant.
"COME BACK HERE NOW!" she screamed as perused the fleeing Edgar.
Layton shook his head in exhaustion at the two while Grosky approached the Professor.
"Honestly," Grosky tutted as he placed his hands in his pocket, "a beautiful moment ruined by a crim-
SNAP!
"OWWWWW!" Grosky screamed in pain as he pulled his injured hand out of his pocket, only to find it was caught in a mousetrap.
Grosky face turned red in anger, "CRIMINAL!," he bellowed as he too chased after Edgar.
Layton watched them leave, pinched the bride of his nose and tried to fight off the headache. Both literally and figuratively.
As Edgar ran away from his pursuers, he thought he heard a ghostly giggle from somewhere. He looked up into the sky, instantly recognising the laughter and smiled happily.
'Goodbye, Melina. I will always love you,' he thought as he stared up into the heavens.
I honestly think I put more effort into this chapter then I did on the latest instalment of TGPT. Ah well.
The Eternal Diva will be concluded in the next chapter and will focus on the aftermath of what happened.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you next time :)
