Notes: Bonus chapter! :D
I'd originally planned to have 15 chapters and an epilogue. But when I was editing this chapter I kept adding more and more things that were not in the original plans; a good deal of it was written "off script" as a spur of the moment thing. In the end I added so much that it was becoming far too long and I had to split the chapter in half. Which means that there will actually be another two chapters after this one… and I need to come up with a new name for the next chapter. Calling it "A Matter of Time, part 2" would be the epitome of laziness.
As a side note, the romance genre is outside my writing comfort zone; I'm more of an action/adventure writer. But this is where the Layton/Claire pairing starts to come into play. Hopefully it's satisfactory. :3
Chapter 14: A Matter of Time
Claire bent down and took Layton's sore hand in both of her own hands, rubbing gently. "Hershel... It's good to see you again. Dimitri told me that this is an alternate timeline, and you were fighting to save everyone."
"But...!" was all Layton was able to say. For a moment, he briefly considered whether he was dreaming. This didn't make an iota of sense, and for once he was having trouble keeping his emotional state hidden, especially when Claire drew closer and hugged him, and he could feel her breath on his neck. Logic tended to go on holiday for extended periods of time whenever he thought about her. It never used to back when she'd been alive, never this much. And she was alive right now, apparently. He tried to gather himself.
He looked up at Dimitri. "Did you-?"
Dimitri was shaking his head before Layton had even begun the sentence. "Claire's appearance has nothing to do with me." The scientist glanced tiredly in Polly's direction. "It was his idea."
"I thought it might be useful to send Claire's thoughts to you, to give you an extra emotional boost. So I used your memories of her to pull her from the void and bring her here. She is from the same timeline as you."
"But Hershel..." said Claire, her soft expression becoming tainted with a sad tinge. "Before you get your hopes up, I have to tell you. The timeline must be restored."
"That's what Time kept saying," said Layton, a sense of dread coming over him as he noticed her sudden drop in mood.
Dimitri sighed, and he looked wearier than he'd ever looked before, as though he hadn't slept in weeks and was having to carry the weight of the entire universe on his shoulders despite that. He said, "It means that your timeline must go back to the way it was. Everything. That means Claire as well."
"But..." Layton whipped his head back to Claire, a tear in her eye confirming his deepest fear. "No... You can't go!"
"Hershel..." She placed her left hand around his cheek. "Don't you see how lucky we are to be even speaking at all? Even though the timeline has to go back to how it was, I'm still grateful to Time for bringing me here. I-I get to see you one last time again..."
"No," said Hershel, unwilling to accept that this would be her fate, despite everything that had happened. Or perhaps because of everything that had happened. The power of Infinity had shown itself, if only for a brief spell, during the fight against Descole. He had been a dinosaur – a creature that should have been extinct! And that was to say nothing about being a Chinese dragon, a creature that only truly lived in the thoughts of men. He had always known about this power, he supposed. He had been to Infinity before; he had just forgotten. But now for the first time he could feel why Dimitri had been trying so hard to harness it. Infinity had the power to make thoughts real… Was there really no way to make this work?
"But… you're here now," he said, somewhat feebly, and suddenly he could remember the day of the explosion as though it had happened yesterday. "I… can't let you go. Not again…"
Time looked as though he was going to interject, but Dimitri got there first.
"Hershel, listen to yourself!" he said, anger piercing straight through the mix of sadness and weariness. "Don't you think I want the same thing? I spent twenty years trying to make this a reality! But it simply cannot be. I understand now that what I was trying to accomplish was futile. Claire's death must happen. It is for the same reason that Clive must go back to his own time. If we do not return things to the way they should be, we risk another leak to Infinity - another Time Crash."
Layton still couldn't quite accept this - not fully, at least - and he found himself looking away from Dimitri's harsh stare. How could Claire come back to him, only to be taken away yet again? He had already experienced the heartbreak of losing her once. How could Time be so cruel to put him through it all over again?
"I saw you fighting that man, Descole," said Claire, cutting through his panicked thoughts and calming them with her soothing voice. "You were so brave... And now, you need to be brave again."
Layton found it odd that she was the one telling him to be brave, but the more he thought about it, the more he realised she was right. He had to have the strength to let her go once more.
He held her close, and she leaned against his shoulder. At least he would be able to cherish this last moment with her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I haven't done a good job of taking care of the hat you gave me..."
"Don't be silly," said Claire. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Your hat is a hidden memory," said Time finally. "It contains all the love, hopes and dreams of a life that once lived. I am dreams, memories, thoughts, emotions. As long as you have her memory within you - which you certainly do - I too will remember."
"Thank you," said Claire, sitting up and looking at Polly. "For giving me a chance to help Hershel. And for saving him."
"I did not do all of this for your benefit. Hershel Layton is important to the original timeline. It was imperative that he succeeded. But even so, I recognise the gratitude for what it is. You are... welcome."
"We should let Luke know what's happened," said Dimitri, who, for his part, seemed to have collected himself. "He'll be going mad on the Silver Blaze."
"Actually, there is something I'd like to do first, if I may," said Layton, feeling a little better now that things had turned more business-like, because it gave him something else to think about. "I'd like to go on board the Baryonyx."
Dimitri blinked in surprise, but then he sighed, his eyes showing understanding. "Hershel, Time already took care of that as well. He's on this ship, in one of my cabins. No one's allowed to go in except me, but you should be fine. Everyone'll think you're the Prime Minister, after all."
"I foresaw your thoughts," said Time, "and moved the robot here. You may speak to him if you wish."
It was no wonder that Time hadn't possessed enough energy to save Descole if he'd been going around teleporting both the robot and Claire instead. I did not even ask him to do that... thought Layton.
"This Descole was not important to the time stream," said Time, in response.
"I must politely request that you stop doing that," said Layton, though he had noticed the subtle emphasis on the word 'this'. What about the Descole in his own timeline? Layton hadn't seen him for years, but he had the feeling he was still alive somewhere. Did Time know something about him?
Time paused, and for a moment Layton wondered whether he might answer the question. But then he said, "You would like me to stop reading your thoughts?"
"Yes. I would rather they remain private, if you don't mind."
"You will recall that I am made of thoughts. It is difficult for me not to be attuned to them when they are all around me. But I will try," said Time.
Claire had been sitting through this conversation with a mildly confused expression. As Layton stood up, he kissed her on the forehead. "I am sorry, Claire. I must go to see someone right now. It is something I must do alone. But I will return as soon as possible."
"Okay," she said, smiling. "I understand."
"Time has to conserve his energy, so I'm going to take Hershel to the cabin myself," said Dimitri, to Claire. "I'll get someone to bring you something to drink. After that I must address the captain of another ship, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Make yourself at home in the meantime. I have a couple of books in the cupboard that you're welcome to read."
"Thanks, Dimitri," said Claire, sitting in a sofa chair.
Layton sighed a little, feeling unhappy that he wasn't able to bring Claire along, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her everything his alternate self had done, especially since it had turned out not to be his alternate self at all but a robot facsimile. Dimitri probably felt the same way. It was better she went back to her death not knowing the truth.
He followed Dimitri outside into the corridor, where he had to speed up to match Dimitri's brisk pace.
"Did you mean what you said earlier?" he asked. "About returning the timeline to the way it was?"
"Of course," Dimitri replied. "There's no point in continuing now that my Infinity module has been destroyed. I just need to turn off the power to my time machine, and then... your timeline should be restored."
"What about the robot Layton? Have you… spoken to him?"
"After I successfully shut down my module, Time was able to teleport again, and before he left to save you, he told me that he had teleported the robot into one of the cabins on this ship. But the robot had been reactivated. So I went to see him before anything happened, and I told him what we had discovered about Descole. After he heard that, he… gave up. All he wanted was to be deactivated again." Dimitri sighed, and came to a stop outside a cabin door. "At the time it was all so hectic - I was eager to return to watching the battle - that I didn't have much time to argue, and I wanted to surrender myself, so I complied…"
"Will I be able to reactivate him, then?" said Layton.
"Yes. You should be able to figure it out easily."
"Would you like to speak to him as well?"
"No, I'd rather not. I've said all I needed to say already. If you'll excuse me…"
Dimitri left, and Layton turned back round to face the cabin door. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
After leaving Layton by himself, Dimitri returned to the ship's bridge. He sat down at the communication console, turned on the radio and braced himself.
Here goes nothing.
"Greetings," he started once he had established a connection. "This is the Antares."
"Dimitri!" said Future Luke, anger evident in his tone. "What the hell's going on? What are you playing at?"
"If you calm yourself, I shall tell you," said Dimitri evenly. "I wish to tell you that I surrender. The past Hershel has persuaded me to give up my plans. I hope you saw on your screens that I destroyed my Infinity module. It was necessary to do so in order to defeat Descole."
There was a collection of surprised gasps on the other end, and then Future Luke said: "What about our Layton? Does he agree to this?"
Dimitri hesitated, unable to say the truth - that the true Hershel was dead, and had in fact been dead for eleven years. He could already imagine what Future Luke's reaction would be. He didn't think he could deal with it right now, not when he already considered himself to be a failure on multiple levels. How could everything have gone so horribly wrong? He'd wanted to save this timeline…
"He has decided to give up as well," he said.
Cheers erupted, but amongst the yays and hoorays, Dimitri could still hear Luke's voice. "I don't believe it," he said suspiciously.
"I have powered down the Baryonyx's weapons," said Dimitri. "I will release Max's ship from the Com Link system in due course. We will be heading to Regent's Park, but first we will return Clive, the younger Flora, and your younger self to your ship. The younger Hershel has agreed to take over the Baryonyx temporarily. You may speak to him afterwards, if you wish. He will corroborate what I have told you."
"How will we know that he's not under your control?" said Future Luke. He was being hopelessly stubborn, as usual, but Dimitri couldn't really blame him for being so cautious. They had been doing this dance for such a long time that this surrender was probably an inconceivable outcome for Luke.
"That's impossible. Hershel cannot mind-control himself. The past Hershel was always immune to the Com Link system. If he wasn't, our own Layton would have been prone to being Linked as well. We all know that isn't the case."
"All right," said Future Luke, "but we're watching you."
"Noted," said Dimitri. He clicked the radio off, putting his head in both hands. He desperately needed some sleep.
Layton stepped into the room and looked down at Future Layton, who was sitting with legs mechanically outstretched, like a doll, on the ground.
He took a few steps forwards and then stopped, feeling troubled by the fact that he was looking at an exact robot copy of himself, and it looked so dead. He tried to tell himself that it wasn't really him. The robot may have looked like Layton, but he wasn't the true Layton. He never had been.
And yet... the robot had possessed his memories, not someone else's. Did that make him any less real than Layton himself? What about the people of St Mystere? They all had their own lives and their own experiences. They felt emotions just like any human did. Did they stop becoming people simply because they were made of machinery?
Sighing, Layton reached out for a couple of cogs on the nearby table. Dimitri had taken them out from a compartment in the robot's chest, but it was easy to see where they needed to go. He bent down and pushed them inside with a click.
Future Layton's eyes sprung open.
"You...?" he said. His voice was quiet; restrained. He remained where he was, sitting on the ground. "Why have you turned me back on? Out of a foolish sense of pity?"
Layton didn't answer at first. There were so many things he wanted to say, and so many things he wanted to know. But, in the end, it all came down to one word.
"Why?"
"Why? You're asking me why I did all that I did?" said Future Layton, face completely impassive. "Because I hated myself, that's why. My existence is a fraud, a fake, a nonsense. Over time I grew to hate humanity, I suppose, for possessing that which I did not. I was cursed by this prison vessel of steel. Once Dimitri had perfected the mind control, the first person I sought to control was Bruno; not only was he the only person that could repair me, I was desperate for a way to be able to taste. Do you know what it's like to yearn for the taste of an Earl Grey, and yet not be able to truly taste it in the same way ever again? It was excruciating. I may have been murderously angry with Bill, but it was the day I discovered I was a robot when I truly lost it. A simple cup of tea was all it took to set me off, Hershel."
Layton wasn't satisfied with this answer, but he wasn't entirely sure why, and then it hit him. He couldn't completely rule out the possibility that this madness would have happened to the true alternate Layton as well. What if he had already been showing signs of madness before Descole had copied his memories?
"I know why you're asking," said Future Layton, interrupting his thoughts. It was eerie how expressionless he was, devoid of any emotion. He wasn't angry, or sad, or remorseful. In this sense, and at this moment, he was just like a robot. "It is because you are afraid."
"Excuse me?" said Layton.
"You are afraid of the future," said Future Layton, "of what might happen. You are thinking about whether you are destined to become like me."
"Would you not say that it is a legitimate concern to have?"
"No. And I will tell you why. When I discovered I was a robot, the only thing on my mind was revenge. I had already taken it on Descole – or so I thought – and so the only person left was Bill Hawks. I highly doubt the same thing will happen to you. First of all, your experiences are different to mine. As I just told you, it was the discovery that I could no longer taste – or feel – anything that truly sent me on my merry way. But more importantly, I believe there was a flaw in Descole's process. Memory transferral is rather unpredictable. You saw that first-hand with Melina. I have certain… attributes missing, certain core aspects of my original character that you still possess. You have the capacity to feel pity, which is more than I can ever hope to achieve."
Reassuring as this was, these words did not seem like the words of someone who had, some minutes ago, threatened to either kill or enslave an entire ship's company. "Why are you telling me this?"
"You are the victor. Do you not remember what I told you? We were fighting against Time, Dimitri and I - somewhat foolishly, I am forced to admit. Our two timelines co-exist in exactly the same point in space-time, which is an impossibility. Only one timeline can exist, and this is at the expense of the other. Yours is the correct timeline."
"So once my timeline is restored, this timeline will disappear?"
"Correct. The streams will dry up. It will be as if we never existed. Did I not already explain this to you?"
Layton frowned, feeling his heart sink at the thought that everyone he had met would have to be sacrificed for the sake of preserving the timeline as well, not just Claire. Becky, Max, Belle, Don Paolo, Doctor Wilde, Future Flora... and Future Luke. He had known this already, of course, ever since Future Layton had revealed it to him earlier, but in the heat of the confrontation the information hadn't really had a chance to sink in before now. He had been so focused on his plan to expose the truth and oust Descole, he hadn't had time to think about the consequences.
"But - surely there must be a way of preserving some of it -"
"No," Future Layton said, and for the first time, he showed a reaction, in the form of a raised eyebrow and a stern tone of voice. "There is no other way. Believe me, Dimitri went to great lengths to search for one. Perhaps now you realise why we were fighting so hard."
"And Luke opposed you, knowing that stopping Dimitri's plan would put an end to your entire timeline?"
"I'm quite certain he did know. No doubt he refrained from telling you, sentimental fool that he is. But we are not supposed to exist. We are the true paradoxes, not you. This timeline's existence is, too, a fraud and a nonsense."
Layton didn't quite know what to say. This victory felt hollow, as though he hadn't truly won. "I only wish there was something I could do..."
"Humph. You're as foolish as Luke. We will soon disappear from the streams of time, and your timeline will be restored. That cannot be changed. It is of little consequence. My only wish - my final wish - is that I not be alive to witness it."
Future Layton picked up something metallic and rectangular from the ground beside him, enclosing it within his palm.
"What are you doing?" said Layton.
"You still have your life. So live it," said Future Layton. "That is what the true Layton of this timeline would have wanted. It is what I want, too, because I no longer have any reason to live…" Saying nothing more, he pushed a button on the disruptor, and deactivated himself.
If Layton had still had his hat, this would have been one of the only times he would have ever considered taking it off. "Goodbye, Hershel Layton," he whispered. "May you finally rest in peace."
Being alive was complicated, Time had decided. In the short period that he had gained a consciousness, he had learned a lot from this world, but there was so much he still didn't understand.
There was a whole morality surrounding life and death, for example. It made no difference to Time whether a creature died or not. Their memories - or soul, as humans called it - would always remain as part of the time stream, even in an altered timeline like this one. Time had no concept of endings and beginnings, either. For Time, everything just went on and on in an endless cycle. But the humans didn't see it that way. Perhaps it was because life as they knew it was not endless, that they cherished the short time that they had.
Time could at least appreciate that. Having been cut off from the time stream, he had been forced to see only the present, just as the humans did, and it was indeed scary, not knowing what the future would bring. At first the feeling of loss had confused and disorientated him, which was why he had not been able to communicate his intentions very effectively when he had first teleported Layton and Luke to the point at which the timeline had been changed.
But emotions like the venomous hatred that Dimitri had felt for Bill, the tender love between Claire and Layton, and the friendships between Flora, Clive, and the younger Luke; these still eluded Time.
And sex. What was the point of that, anyway? Whose bright idea had that been? To have differing sexes in order to procreate, and thus extend life in that way? Was that how it worked? Very strange. Time had only taken on a male gender because that was the parrot's gender. That in itself was scary; maybe soon he'd gain a body of his own and manifest as an Amazon parrot.
He didn't understand any of it, frankly. Why was he even alive?
Suddenly, things seemed to be on the move. Polly was in control of his body at the moment, and he had taken off, flying out of the corridor and into the canteen area. He landed on the window sill, preening his feathers with his beak before settling into a composed position.
Claire was also sitting in the canteen, eating what looked to be some potatoes and other vegetables. In order to avoid panic and confusion amongst the general populace, Layton had agreed to pose as his alternate self - at least until they reached their destination, which meant that he was on the Prime Minister's ship. The three younger humans had returned to the Silver Blaze and were entertaining themselves with puzzles in Future Luke's room.
Why Claire had elected to stay on this ship and sit here by herself instead of staying with the children Time could not know without penetrating her thoughts, but her emotions felt contemplative and miserable. She was sad, he surmised, because she didn't have much time left.
And then Dimitri walked in.
Claire looked up at the newcomer, and there was an odd moment when Dimitri and Claire's eyes met. He quickly glanced away, mumbling about wanting to grab a packet of cheese and onion Walkers crisps, and he went straight to the snack machine on the other side of the canteen.
This will be interesting, thought Time, watching Claire stare at Dimitri's back. Generally the dead didn't get to voice their opinions on what it was like to be dead.
You think humans are interesting? said Polly, within his own mind. Let me give you some advice: they don't like being spied on. Stay out of their heads.
I'm not spying.
Sure you're not, said Polly.
Dimitri had purchased a packet of crisps from the snack machine. He raised his arm to put another coin in the slot to buy something else, but then he stopped halfway and turned around. He walked over to Claire, who looked up at him with a small smile.
"I'm... sorry," Dimitri said.
"Whatever for?"
"For dragging you into this."
"None of this is your fault," said Claire in a gentle tone.
"I suppose not..." said Dimitri weakly.
Lies! said Polly. This is all his fault! Him and his stupid Infinity project!
He is not disclosing the full reason for his sorrow, said Time calmly.
Yes, I know that, said Polly. He's obviously hiding something. I don't know why she hasn't picked that up.
But you do not understand why he is lying. He feels remorse for all the things he has done to try to get her here.
It doesn't change the fact that he did them, said Polly, uncompromising in his dislike of Dimitri.
And he's also... ashamed? said Time, trying to discern this new emotion.
Quite right that he's ashamed! He's the worst kind of jerkass, a jerkass who didn't even know he was a jerkass! He just kept going and going and going, without a thought of what the consequences would be! And now he has the cheek to feel remorse?! He should have stopped himself before he ever got that far!
Time just couldn't bring himself to feel the same anger that Polly was radiating. It was true that Dimitri had tried to manipulate the time stream, and yet…
...I know what these emotions are, I can sense them, identify them... but I cannot experience them myself. Why? Why am I here?
Didn't you tell me it was to do with something Dimitri did in the original timeline?
That is how I came into being. It does not answer why. Why do I exist? Indeed, why are you here? Why do you exist? Do you know the answer to that?
Now Polly calmed down. When he next spoke, he sounded amused. Now I see what's bugging you. But why so many questions? Trust me, it's a good thing you don't know why you exist. And it's even better that you can't feel. You need to remain impartial, don't you? Otherwise, how can you flow indiscriminately and endlessly throughout the ages?
...Polly, you are a far wiser creature than I. In this particular regard, you are correct.
Heh. I'm not just a pretty bird, y'know.
But that only means we must return the timeline to normal as soon as possible. The more time I spend here, the more emotions I seem to acquire.
Let's give the humans a nudge when we get to the Time Machine Facility, then, eh? It'd be quite the disaster if you ever started becoming as barmy as that Descole bloke.
"It was an accident..." Dimitri said, and both Polly and Time returned their attention to the two humans. "I never meant for you to die."
"Of course you didn't!" said Claire. "No one did. It was something we shouldn't have been doing anyway... We all knew the risks, Dimitri. Please don't blame yourself."
"No matter what Hershel says, I won't change the timeline, not again, not now, not ever. I'm done experimenting with Time."
He sighed despairingly, slumping down in one of the seats, and then tossed the crisp packet haphazardly on the table, running a hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Claire," he repeated. "Even in this timeline, I couldn't save you..."
"Dimitri, it's okay. I understand."
"It's not okay... That's why it hurts so much..."
I feel remorse from him. A little from her, but mostly from him. I do not understand it at all. Why would they have gone through with that experiment in the first place if they knew that death was a possibility? Surely a human would strive to avoid a deep and unpleasant sensation such as guilt? And why does Dimitri care about my... well-being?
Why don't you look inside his memories and find out? Humans usually have reasons behind their actions. They're not always noble reasons, mind, but they are usually there.
But I thought you said humans didn't like being spied on?
They don't. Neither do animals, if it comes to that. But I want to know what was going through Dimitri's mind when he thought it was a good idea to experiment on me!
That event took place in the original timeline, not this one. I would not find that particular memory within his mind, for this Dimitri did no such thing. In this timeline you escaped from your cage in the pet shop, and you lived a free existence within a London park. In fact your alternate self is still out there right now, though we have not met him. Are you still going to hold a grudge against Dimitri for an event that, as of right now, does not exist?
What the heck are you talking about? Aren't we going to change the timeline back?
Perhaps…
What's that supposed to mean?
I may be able to alter things ever so slightly. Living creatures deserve... more. I don't know who created us, or this universe, but if it is within my means to help you and Dimitri then I will.
Polly paused, having gained the complete inability to speak for once. Help us how, exactly?
I can't say. I can't make any promises, you see.
…Is there a reason you're being so enigmatic again? It's not as if you have to speak through hidden memories this time.
You were right the first time. I must try to understand this person without looking inside his mind. Like a human would.
Time took control, suddenly, and flew towards the table where Dimitri and Claire were sitting.
What are you doing?
Research.
This won't end well, Polly warned. You shouldn't interfere in humans' affairs.
I only want to ask a few questions, Time insisted.
If you say so.
Dimitri looked up as Time landed on the table. "You? What do you want?"
"You are afraid of me. Why?"
"Your staring unsettles me," said Dimitri quietly. "Well, do your worst."
Do your worst? said Polly. Obviously the kind of human who sees the glass half full…!
I believe... that he thinks I mean to punish him for trying to control the time stream.
Well, are you?
No.
Lucky for him you can't feel emotions of your own, then, eh? Because I know I'd be ticked off if someone went in and messed my insides up without my permission.
"Um..." said Claire. Both humans were exuding auras of fearful confusion. "What do you want with us, Mr, er, Time?"
Mister? It's not like you have a last name. Or a name at all, actually. We should fix that. How does 'Bob' sound?
Please let me talk to them.
Sure, sure. Sorry.
"I do apologise for the brief pause. I am borrowing this body. We're sharing the same container for our thoughts, and my parrot companion is what you would call a chatterbox."
"I suppose you are angry with us, then, for what we tried to do?" said Dimitri.
"You misunderstand my intentions. There is no need to be afraid. I bear no ill will towards either of you. I am simply trying to understand you. Claire... I am unable to save you. The timeline must be restored."
"That's all right," she said, somewhat sadly. "I've accepted my fate..."
"Perhaps in another timeline, Dimitri does save you in time and you are still alive. Infinity makes all scenarios possible."
Time glanced at Dimitri, who, along with relief, was radiating a completely different emotion. It was light and warm, and had replaced the sorrow, as if he'd just pushed a giant weight he'd been carrying down a steep cliff. Hope, and... something else.
Time looked back at Claire. "He loves you."
"What?" said Claire.
Dimitri blinked, and then scowled. How could humans simply switch from one emotion to another just like that? "I didn't say that!"
"You didn't need to," said Time. "I can sense emotions. You long to be with her, and regret not getting to disclose your feelings before Hershel Layton did."
Time was interrupted by a storm of crisps raining down; Dimitri had opened the crisps and hurled the entire packet at him.
"How dare you speak for me! I have a mind of my own, thank you very much, and I will not let you speak it for me! I don't care what you are, you don't know anything about me, or about my life! You haven't got a clue about anything, so if you're not going to do anything useful, bugger off and leave us humans in peace!"
He stormed off grumpily, leaving behind a rather bemused Amazonian Time parrot in a sea of cheese and onion crisps. Meanwhile, Claire seemed to be in a state of shock. She hadn't moved.
That went over well, said Polly, conveniently reappearing in an I told you so fashion.
Why did he become so angry? If they do not communicate their emotions to one another, how are they to reconcile their differences?
Here's the thing: maybe they don't want to reconcile their differences. Maybe they wanted to keep their emotions hidden. But either way, you took that choice away from them. That's why he got cheesed off.
Oh dear. I think I see.
There's something to be said for letting things happen naturally.
I think I am beginning to understand the remorse emotion, now, too...
Claire sighed and bent down, extending a hand towards Polly.
Polly regained control and instinctively flew up, high on top of a ledge by the ceiling, where Claire had no hope of reaching. He ruffled his feathers in a proud Just try and reach me now! manner, and then prepared to take off again.
"Wait, don't go," said Claire. "Please don't leave. I just want to talk."
Ugh, I hate English, thought Polly, now to himself. Why can't the humans just squawk and whistle to communicate? They certainly have the capacity to whistle, I've heard loads of 'em do it besides the Animal Speaker.
Here goes nothing...
"AWK. DEEP INSIDE MIND, TIME HAS GONE. DOES NOT WANT TO CAUSE ANY MORE TROUBLE, TIME SAID."
"Well... when he comes out again, tell him that if he wants to avoid trouble, he shouldn't go around broadcasting everyone's feelings. We don't always want to share everything that's on our minds."
"TOLD HIM THIS ALREADY, POLLY DID. BUT LISTEN, HE DID NOT. WANTED TO EXPERIENCE FOR HIMSELF, HE DID. BUT STILL LEARNING, TIME IS. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES."
"Learning?" said Claire.
"TO UNDERSTAND HUMANS, TIME WANTS. SEARCHING, TIME IS. TRYING TO FIND AN IDENTITY OF HIS OWN, HE IS. SCARED, HE IS, POLLY THINKS."
"If what I gathered from Dimitri is true, then you've got a living piece of Time inside you. What does Time itself fear?"
"SCARED OF LOSING HIS SENSE OF SELF, POLLY THINKS. IF UNDERSTAND THE LIVES OF HUMANS HE DOES, PERHAPS HE WILL GAIN BETTER INSIGHT INTO WHY HE HIMSELF IS ALIVE. AWK."
Polly didn't need Time's clairvoyance to know that Claire was impressed. "You know, you're really smart for a parrot," she said.
"THIS POLLY ALREADY KNOWS," said Polly, as an automatic response.
"Why don't you come down now?" said Claire. "I don't think Dimitri will be back for a while."
"GOOD RIDDANCE," said Polly.
"Why? Did something happen with you and Dimitri as well?"
"…WORRY ABOUT IT, YOU SHOULD NOT. FORGET POLLY SAID ANYTHING, YOU SHOULD."
Is that concern I feel from you?
"SHUT UP," said Polly, then he checked himself when he realised he'd said that out loud. "SORRY, REFERRING TO YOU POLLY WAS NOT."
"Did Time come back?" said Claire.
"YES. SEPARATED WE WILL BE SOON, POLLY HOPES. TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS, POLLY CANNOT."
"I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like, having another person's thoughts inside my head…"
"PAIN IN THE ARSE, IT IS. AT LEAST TELEPORTING POLLY EVERY WHICH WAY TIME IS NOT, FOR NOW."
Polly fluffed up his feathers and shook himself, before fluttering down to land on the table where Claire had been sitting. He navigated through the crisps, and when he saw what else was on the table, he looked hopefully at her. "FINISH THE REST OF THIS CARROT, YOU WILL? OR EAT IT, POLLY CAN?"
Claire laughed, walking to sit down at the table again. "Go for it."
Polly munched on the small piece of carrot, and then said, "WANTED TO HELP POLLY AND DIMITRI, TIME SAID."
"Help you? How?"
"KNOW, POLLY DOES NOT. DELIBERATELY NOT SAYING, TIME IS. BUT… UNDERSTAND SOMETHING POLLY DOES NOT. WHY HELP DIMITRI?"
Claire made a pensive face. "Did… Dimitri do something to annoy you?"
"NO," said Polly quickly.
Now who is the one lying?
Shut up.
"I'm sorry about Dimitri," said Claire.
"APOLOGISE, WHY?" She doesn't even know what he did…!
"Because I know what he's like. I know how stubborn he can be. Once he's got his mind set on something he ignores everything else."
"NO KIDDING," said Polly. He tilted his head, making a squawking noise which in a human would be the equivalent of a sigh. "BUT UNDERSTAND, POLLY DOES…" he said slowly. "EVEN IF LIKE DIMITRI POLLY DOES NOT."
"What do you mean?"
He paused, but then figured he might as well tell her, since if she was really going back to die a death that couldn't be prevented, it didn't matter anyway. She seemed sweet enough.
"ONE DAY IN PET SHOP, FEMALE PARROT NAMED COCONUT, THERE WAS. BEAUTIFUL, COCO WAS. THE BEST MATE FOR POLLY, COCO WAS. COURTSHIP DANCE POLLY PERFORMED. TRIED AND TRIED, POLLY DID. BUT WORKED, NOTHING DID. INTERESTED IN POLLY, COCONUT WAS NOT. THEN ANOTHER MALE PARROT ARRIVED, HE DID. NAMED PUMPKIN, HE WAS. ACCEPTED PUMPKIN TO BE MATE STRAIGHT AWAY, COCO DID. AFTERWARDS, THOUGHT POLLY WAS A POOR MATE, POLLY DID. SO NEVER TRY AGAIN, POLLY DID. CONVINCED THAT NEEDED ANYONE ELSE POLLY DID NOT…"
"Oh… I'm sorry it didn't work out. But… you were in a pet shop…? Did anyone pick you up? You're a smart bird, I'm sure you must have wowed everyone with your ability to speak English so well."
Polly looked down at the table. Here was something he wasn't happy to discuss, though the thoughts came to him regardless.
I lost my lustre. No one would take a depressed looking parrot. They wanted a responsive, playful bird. Not a miserable ball of shame huddled in the corner of the cage… When that scientist bought me, I didn't even care. But then the blackouts and the pain started…
And that was when you started becoming angry?
Yes but… you took me away from that. When you entered my body, I lost part of my memory and thought I was from this timeline. I didn't remember everything fully at first. I thought I truly was confident in myself. But now… All my jibes and cracks at other people, all my chatterboxing – it's all just for show, you know. Deep down I don't feel like a 'smart' parrot at all. I couldn't even speak English until after those experiments. How much of a hypocrite does that make me? I've been angry with Dimitri all this time and yet, if it wasn't for him, I would never have been able to express that anger in the first place. I was just a normal bird before I arrived at the lab… You only appeared in my body because Dimitri happened to pick me.
I know deep down that is what you believe, but… that does not necessarily mean it is true.
Why did you appear then? Sorry – I know you asked me the very same question, but… now I'm doubting myself.
The answer to that is something I am still trying to find. But had I appeared in Pumpkin's body, I doubt I would have got very far. He does not have the mental strength to understand who I truly am. If he had been the one to be granted "intelligence", I believe he would have balked at the challenge. You, however, accepted me, despite your situation. And remember, you sought out Layton on your own, without my instruction or guidance. I was able to reach Layton because of you.
Is… that you trying to cheer me up?
It is not meant to do anything. It is simply the truth. Whether it cheers you up is up to you.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Claire said. One thing that Polly had noticed was that she seemed to be very patient; she hadn't minded being blanked out of the conversation at all. Perhaps she was getting used to talking to someone who had two minds in one body.
"APOLOGIES. TALKING TO TIME, POLLY WAS. BUT ANSWER QUESTION, POLLY WILL. PREVIOUS OWNER TREATED POLLY BADLY, THEY DID."
"…You poor thing. Maybe that's why Time wants to help you?"
"NEVER MIND POLLY. AT LEAST WHEN RESTORED TIMELINE IS, LIVE POLLY WILL."
"Oh, well… there's nothing I can do about that. I should be dead right now; nothing can change that. But…"
She trailed off thoughtfully, leaning her head on one arm.
"PROBLEM?"
"…I never knew Dimitri felt that way about me."
"CHANGE ANYTHING BETWEEN CLAIRE AND LAYTON, WOULD IT HAVE?"
"No, but…"
"CHANGE YOUR FATE IT WILL?"
"No, it won't."
"THEN WORRY ABOUT IT YOU SHOULD NOT."
"I guess you're right. It sounds selfish, and the sensible side of my brain knows it isn't possible, but… there's an irrational part of me that wishes I could just go back home and forget about all this. I don't want to die..."
Polly waddled up to her side of the table. Now he was beginning to see why she had looked so down earlier. She's lonely, he thought.
"REGRETS ABOUT UNFINISHED BUSINESS YOU MAY HAVE. BORROWED SOME EXTRA TIME, YOU HAVE. USE THIS BORROWED TIME WISELY, POLLY SAYS."
"If I could stay alive, I'd give your previous owner a piece of my mind."
"HA! LIKE TO SEE THAT, POLLY WOULD."
"…Will you stay here a while? Hershel's busy, and…"
"ALONE, YOU FEEL. UNDERSTAND, POLLY DOES."
"Can I pet your head?"
Polly squawked an assent, and allowed Claire to stroke his head. He'd heard animals could be therapeutic for humans; he supposed that was doubly true if the animal could actually speak English as well. For once he could be like a pet and offer companionship, even if it was for a short time. Someone actually needed him…
Does Claire have to die?
Yes. Otherwise the timeline cannot be restored.
What will happen to me when the timeline gets fixed? Will I go back to being an experiment again? I don't want that either… Will you help me escape?
Time didn't answer.
Next chapter: ?
A note about Azran Legacy: Although Azran Legacy comes out at the end of this month (Feb 28th) in NA regions, it was available to purchase in the UK three months ago, and (naturally) as a Layton fan I bought the game as soon as it was released in the UK. When I completed it, I realised that it had completely pooped all over my Descole backstory for this fic (not to mention a whole heap of other stuff which I won't spoil).
Being Jossed by canon is always a risk when writing for an ongoing series, so it comes with the territory of being a fanfic writer. But I felt I needed to remind people reading that the events of Azran Legacy (as well as Spectre's Call & Miracle Mask) don't happen in this fic, just in case anyone says, "But Descole is such and such, why didn't you bring that up in your fic?". He isn't spoilers in this fic because I planned this fic a long time ago. I just take a gajillion years to update. :P