Wounded Future
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the original story to Professor Layton
Author's Note: Sorry about the late update. Its been a crazy week for me and school, and ever getting crazier. If I'm slow with my updates, please bare with with me. I got a lot of projects due at the same time all worth a huge percentage of my marks. Good news is; I'm on reading week! I might be able to churn out another chapter ontop of this one within the week! Thanks for the patience!
Chapter 5
Flora held her breath in attempt to calm her nerves. Her heart pounded quickly and her palms began to sweat.
"Alright Luke. This is our chance," Future Luke whispered to Young Luke.
The group was hidden in a tight alleyway close to the Chinatown Entrance Gate. Two guards dressed in all black stood in front of the gate monitoring any suspicious behaviour. The shorter of the two guards yawned loudly as he stretched his arms out.
"God damn, this is boring," The man commented.
"Would you shut the fuck up? All you've been doing is complaining!" The taller man raised his voice.
"Don't pretend you enjoy this shit. We always get the worst posts!"
"Yeah, that's because I keep letting you do stupid shit! Maybe if you weren't so dumb, Bostro would respect us a bit." The taller man argued.
"Shut up, I'm not responsible for this. As I recall, you were too busy chasing ass to stay in your original post." The short man laughed. "Anyways, it doesn't matter. We can't let Bostro catch us arguing or slacking off again."
Future Luke and Luke leaned in closely to catch their conversation. Luke held his pet parrot on his forearm as they listened in for the perfect opportunity.
"You're right. It seems like all that guy does is watch us to see if we screw up. It's like he has no life and gets off on -" The tall man was suddenly interrupted by a nearby voice.
"Get lost, you clowns!" The voice yelled.
Luke smiled at his parrot. The parrot mimicked the crime boss, Bostro's, voice flawlessly.
"Oh shit, was that Bostro!" The shorter man looked around wildly. "He told us to get lost!"
"Yeah but where the hell did it come from?"
"Fuck that shit. You can stay here and look for Bostro, I'm gonna bounce before he rips me a new asshole."
"You're right, let's go."
The short man began to scurry away with the taller man in tow. The group watched as the two men bolted away in fear. They waited until the men were gone before breaking away from their hiding spot. The group approached the large, overshadowing doors with caution, examining them closely.
"These doors look heavy. We'll need everyone's efforts if we want to open these doors." The Professor observed. "Flora and Future Luke can take one door, and Luke and I will take the other door,"
The four positioned themselves to their assigned door, and readied themselves.
"Alright, on the count of 3. One. Two...Three!"
The four simultaneously grunted and pushed with all their might as the heavy doors began to move. They continued to push the doors wider apart until they were all able to slip through to the other side. The door slammed loudly behind them as they all panted to catch their breath.
"Boy, those are some heavy doors," Young Luke commented between breaths.
"Come now, we haven't got much time." Layton said as he recovered. The group followed behind the Professor as they walked deeper into Chinatown.
The streets were lined with various Chinese lanterns and exterior signage. The buildings were very colourful with the predominate use of red and greens, while each venue displayed a different banner to attract attention. At the end of the road stood a tall, towering pagoda that seemed to reach into the clouds. It stood over the city, overshadowing the whole Chinatown district. It was clear that the Crime boss would be found within that building.
"Just down this road is your future self." Luke commented. "Do you find it at all unnerving?"
"It's quite a peculiar sensation, I must admit." The Professor responded, holding the rim of his top hat.
"I still can't believe there's another Professor Layton running around." Luke said.
"I assure you, the man is real. You'll see soon enough." Future Luke answered.
"Perhaps we should explore Chinatown a bit more. We still know very little about this dangerous crime boss. We may find some valuable information about Future Layton through the locals." Professor Layton suggested. The group nodded in agreement.
"I suggest we split up to ask the locals for information. Luke and I will take this straight path while you and Flora can head left. Anything about Chinatown or the Future Layton will help. We'll meet back here at front of the gate in 30 minutes." Layton instructed. "Come along now, Luke."
Flora watched as the duo walked away deeper into Chinatown.
"Well, I suppose we better get started on our investigation." Future Luke started. Flora silently followed Future Luke as they headed in the Eastern part of Chinatown.
The two followed the path until they came across a discrete library.
"Maybe someone inside can give us some information." Future Luke said as he glanced over at Flora. Flora nodded as they both walked into the building.
As soon as the two stepped into the building, they were greeted by a stout man who seemed to be rushing towards them.
"Make way! Coming through! I'm in a hurry here!" The man yelled. He held a tall stack of books in his arms which blocked his view. He was headed straight for Flora and before she could react, they collided.
"Ouch!" Flora exclaimed as she fell backwards onto the floor. Books scattered everywhere from their impact.
"I said watch out, what're you deaf?" The man vented angrily. He was a very short, wide set man with a tall blue afro and moustache. He sighed in frustration as he began to pick up his books.
"I'm very sorry, you startled me." Flora apologized as Future Luke helped her up. The two then began to help the man pick up his belongings.
"Ugh, I need to get back to work! This is only going to set me back!" The man continued to vent. "If my boss finds out about this he's gonna-"
The man suddenly stopped talking. He locked eyes with Luke as he handed over one of the man's books. Flora observed them curiously. The stout man looked absolutely terrified.
"I'm sure your boss will forgive you. We really are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused." Luke said politely.
"No! It's no problem. I'll be fine! Sorry for hurting you, young lady. I must go now!" The man cried almost too loudly as he bolted out the Library doors.
"How strange," Flora commented when the man was gone. "I feel like I've seen this man before. He seemed to recognize you too, Luke."
"Hm? Really? That's strange, because I've never seen that man in my life." Luke answered. Flora looked around at the library when she spotted the librarian.
"Maybe the woman behind the counter knows something about him."
"Excuse me." Flora chimed sweetly.
"Hm?" The librarian looked up from the novel on her desk. "May I help you with something?"
"Actually, I was hoping you could tell us about the man who just dashed out of your store," Flora requested.
"Oh, that'd be Dr. Avogadro. He's always in a hurry." The librarian answered. "He sneaks away from work to browse through our new books."
"Dr. Avogadro?" Flora echoed. Her eyes widened in recognition as she realized it was one of the missing scientists from the news paper article.
Flora suddenly grabbed Future Luke's arm and pulled him with her into one of the tight bookstore aisles.
"Owe, what? What's with the sudden yanking?" Future Luke exclaimed when Flora let go of him.
"Shhh! Not so loud!" Flora hissed as she clasped a hand over Luke's mouth.
"This is the lead we've been looking for! We can't let the Librarian overhear us!" Flora whispered as she let go of Luke's face. "Remember those missing scientists that have been disappearing in my time? Well, that was one of them! Dr. Avogadro!"
"Are..are you sure?" Future Luke stammered.
"Yes! I'm positive! I remember reading about it just earlier today! I even remember his picture!" Flora continued. "Not only that, but he had the strangest profession out of the three! His work primarily involved battle arms and nuclear weaponry! Now why would a scientist like that be needed in the future?"
"This is great, Flora! We have to report back to the Professor! But first, we need to hurry up and finish investigating the rest of Chinatown. Then we'll go back to the Professor." Future Luke said.
"Great!" Flora bounced in glee as she smiled at Luke. It was then that she noticed just how close she was to him. His face stood only inches away from hers. Flora felt her heartbeat quicken as she looked away from him. She slipped out of the library aisle and walked ahead of Future Luke in attempted to hide her blushing.
Calm down Flora. Remember the matter at hand. We are trying to save the world, not fall in love with a future version of one of your closest friends. Flora mentally lectured herself. That doesn't even make sense.
Flora finally began to calm herself as she turned around and peered at Luke. He smiled back at her and Flora began to feel uneasy again. She suddenly spotted a pet store ahead and stopped in her tracks.
"It's a dead end. This road just ends at this pet store." Flora said in disappointment.
"It seems you're right, Flora," Future Luke agreed. "We better make it back to the Professor then. We wouldn't want to keep him waiting."
The two turned around and began to head back towards the entrance of Chinatown. Flora followed Luke quietly, feeling uncomfortable by their silence.
"So, Luke." Flora blurted out suddenly.
"Yes, Flora?" Future Luke asked as he glanced back at her.
"Uh, I've been wondering something for a while," Flora said awkwardly.
"What's on your mind?" Luke smiled at Flora warmly.
"It's just that," Flora began uneasily, "What happened to Future Flora? If both you and the Professor have a counterpart in the future, what happened to me?"
Future Luke suddenly stopped in his tracks causing Flora to almost bump into him. "Future Flora?"
"Yes, well, what happens to me? Where did I go? Why aren't I with you or the Professor?" Flora stood in front of Luke.
"It's hard to say, I'm not sure you want to know." Future Luke said uneasily.
"What do you mean? What happened? Am I dead?" Flora suddenly began to panic.
"No, no, it's nothing like that." Luke said with a smile.
"Then what happened?" Flora pressed on.
"Well, it's just that," Future Luke paused as he avoided eye contact with Flora. "You ran away."
"I ran away?" Flora repeated in shock.
"Yes. You left. When the Professor began to distance himself from us and when you found out he was involved with organized crime, you just ran away."
"Why? Why would I do that?" Flora cried.
"You were enraged. You were even more enraged when I wouldn't go with you. When I told you I needed to stay in London for Layton." Future Luke explained.
"Where did I go?" Flora asked.
"You went to America. You said you were going to start a new life there."
Flora stood still, completely stunned by the news. The two fell silent as Flora absorbed the information.
"Are you alright, Flora?" Future Luke asked with concern.
Flora stayed silent, refusing to meet Luke's eye.
"It's not your fault, Flora. No one is mad at you."
"Why didn't you come after me?" She whispered quietly.
"Don't you think I wanted to? I couldn't. I'm needed here in London. The Professor is destroying my home town. Trust me, if I could, I would. It's been over 7 years since I've seen you." Future Luke then placed a hand on Flora's shoulder.
"I've missed you, Flora. I've missed your optimistic attitude and your beautiful smile."
Flora looked up at Future Luke with a quizzical expression. Her heart began to race uncontrollably as she looked into his eyes.
"Thank you, Luke. I didn't know you felt that way about me." She said quietly.
Future Luke smiled at her, and placed a hand on the rim of his cap.
"I've changed a lot. I'm not the little Luke you know."
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