Considering everything she did know of Targent (which, probably wasn't too much to begin with in all honesty), Elaine would wonder later on if it should have been surprising when it turned out Targent had managed to find them. With all other legacies of the Azran taken over by them, it was inevitable that they would come here at some point. The fact she and Desmond had made it here before them was sheer luck if she had anything to say about it.

"How…? Who told you where to find us?" Desmond demanded, immediately setting the girl down by Elaine who was about to kneel down by her, but surprisingly the girl stood up calmly with no distinct expression on her face. Bronev didn't answer Desmond's demand, completely ignoring it as he said,

"Hand her over… Or suffer the consequences." Guns were aimed a little more towards Professor Layton and Elaine, the two closest to the Azran and ready to fire at the wrong move. Elaine glanced to the Professor nervously in some small hope he might have an idea, but the look on his face said it all. They were cornered and trapped.

A movement caught her eyes. The girl moved towards Bronev, and Elaine bit her tongue at the frustration of not being able to do anything with guns set on them. Maybe she had some sort of mild understanding of this situation at the least, and thought of her action as some sort of repayment for freeing her from the ice? It seemed the most logical Elaine could come up with.

"Hah! This girl knows what good for her. So long." As quickly as they arrived they left. The girl following like a shadow. The soldiers walked backwards so the guns still pointed towards the group until they were finally out of eyesight.

"We must go after them. There's no telling what they might do," Desmond quickly said, speaking more or less the same thing on nearly everyone's mind. There's was no reason to disagree and everyone was quick to leave the chamber.

During the run, Elaine briefly thought it a bit odd that Bronev didn't appear to notice her. She had met him in Monte d'Or after all. She would have thought he would demand her to come with them to in regards to the whereabouts of 'Descole'. Then again, she doubted she was on any kind of high priorities list.

"Professor! Look at that monster ship!" Luke was pointing up towards the sky when they completely left the cave. Luke's description of it had been fairly accurate. It certainly would have made the Bostonius (and the copters flying with it) look tiny in comparison and certainly didn't look as comfortable.

"They probably 'ave 'er in that," Elaine said.

"Curses! We must get back to the Bostonius now!" Desmond was already running ahead before he finished his words, leaving everyone to follow after him.

The streets of Froenburg weren't too crowded so they were able to go through the streets quickly enough. Even if they had to slow their speed slightly when they came to more slippery paths. Plus there was that one soldier that apparently got left behind, but it was easy enough to get around him without being noticed until was too late for him to do something.

"Master-?"

"No time to explain, but I'm flying!" Desmond said as he rushed by a slightly bewildered Raymond, followed by everyone else. He was already in the pilot's seat by the time everyone joined him by the controls.

"They won't get away. Not if I have anything to do with it," Desmond said, starting up the engines and not too long raising to the sky. But they were going too slow, and the Targent ship was practically a dot from where they were.

"It's no good, we're never going to catch them at this rate!"

"Don't worry," Desmond told the Professor before pulling on one of the controls. "I've been waiting for this." There was a sudden jolt as though the airship was about to fall to the ground, but it stayed in the air. "I've detached us from the blimp and activated the wings. That should give us more than a chance to catch up to them."

"Remind me to 'ug you later for thinking of this," Elaine lightly joked. At the speed they were going, over snowy hills and peaks, it almost felt like no time would pass at all when they would catch up to the ship. There was a beeping sound coming from the ship radio. Demond glared at it and quickly pressed a button to receive the message.

"It's them."

"What do you intend to do with the girl?" demanded the Professor, keeping his voice calm. There was static, but the voice of Bronev was shortly heard.

"Let's just say she has a role in our plan. We will not let her go."It was a bit unnerving, though Demond just looked frustrated and just seemed to put even more focus into flying the Bostonius as fast as possible to catch up to them.

Eventually past the hills covered in thick snow blankets, they passed over an artic oceans with pieces of none melted ice floating over undoubtedly freezing waters, and passing through cavern-like structures. There were a few dangerous turns here and there, a few of which could have been considered mild near-death experiences (if such a thing could ever be described as mild).

"Hah! I'm surprised you made it this far!"Bronev's voice sounded from the radio. His tone sounded more condescending then Desmond's could as Descole.

"You're not exactly making this easy," Emmy retorted back with some sarcasm. "But we'll catch you!"

"Hmp, maybe then I shou- What the-!" The was a slight rumbling sound, like someone just snatched the speaker away.

"Papa! Papa, I'm on the ship!" A little girl's frantic voice sounded out.

"Papa?" Professor Layton looked confused. "Who… Professor Sycamore?"

Desmond looked pale, with a mix of emotions on his face that made it hard to discern what it was he was feeling exactly. Elaine tried not to show it so much, but she felt just as much shock. Could it have actually been…

"J-Johanna…?" Desmond's hands almost looked shaky, and for a moment some of his focus seemed gone.

"Pa-!"

"Get away from there!"

Smack!

A smack could just barely be heard and everything Desmond had been showing vanished and was replaced with a look of renewed determination before he spoke loud enough, with a degree of ferocity.

"Johanna, I'm coming! If there's a girl there in a dress stay with her, we're coming for you both!"

"Professor Sycamore, who's-?"

"My daughter," Desmond replied quickly before Layton could finish her sentence. "They stole her from me some years ago, and I never had a way to properly find her or take her back. But now…" Desmond's grip on the wheel tightened. "… I'm not letting this opportunity slip!"

"… We'll get her. I promise." While Desmond was too focused to look away from the controls, he did show his appreciation of Professor Layton's promise and the sincerity in it.

Eventually, after bypassing some missiles sent towards them, they had caught up to Targent's ship.

"There. This should be close enough."

"What are you going to do?" Elaine asked as Desmond took a quick look over the controls, and then pressed the button her was looking for.

"You'll see. Just watch." No sooner had he said that did a cable suddenly shoot out from the side of the Bostonius, out towards the ship ahead until it managed to latch onto something.

"It's time to board their ship. Raymond take the wheel!" Desmond was already out of the seat and Raymond quickly replaced it. Elaine hadn't been too surprised by this action. Desmond always wanted his daughter back. It was probably the one thing he wanted more than anything else in relation to archaeology or Targent. "Professor, if you'll accompany me?"

"I will," Professor Layton nodded. "Luke, you stay here," he told Luke before running with Desmond to go outside the ship. Luke however ran after him regardless.

"What are you talking about, Professor? You can't go without your trusty apprentice!"

"Should we go too?" Elaine was a bit surprised by Emmy's question and thought it over before sighing and shaking her head.

"I want to, but realistically, it's best if a smaller group goes. It would be easier for them not to draw attention to themselves."

"So we're stuck here."

"Sadly, oui," Elaine agreed, understanding Emmy's annoyance. They watched out the window as Desmond went down the cable first, followed by Professor Layton with Luke on his back. They landed on the ship with ease and were quickly finding a way inside.

"… I didn't realise Professor Sycamore was married."

"Actually, miss, he's a widower," Raymond corrected, though his tone had a slightly sad tone to it. "Miss Lucy passed on shortly after Miss Johanna was born." Emmy frowned hearing this, and thinking on it now Elaine had to frown as well. She already knew of Lucy and her sad passing. But hearing Desmond actually be called a widower…

Was it selfish of her to feel slightly insecure about that? Knowing that (assuming Targent didn't do anything), if Lucy hadn't died Elaine wouldn't be with Desmond? Knowing that a majority of firsts between couples would have already have been done between Desmond and Lucy? Granted in such a scenario, there would probably have been no opportunity for Elaine to become so attached to him and the same for him. But still…

Elaine mentally shuck her mind. This was not the time to think about such things. She'd wait until after they got away from Targent to worry about personal matters.

"Elaine?"

"Hm?" Startled, Elaine looked to Emmy.

"Are you alright?"

"Ou-oui, just thinking about… stuff is all." Elaine put on a smile. "I'm actually 'appy Professeur Sycamore is getting 'is daughter back. 'E mentioned 'er a few times and from what I 'eard, she sounds like she could b cute."

"I thought it was Desmond?" Emmy had a sly look on face, and Elaine felt certain that she may or may not be in for teasing.

"I… Well apparently from you're reaction to it, it's a serious crime to refer to a Professor whom you're friendly with by their first name," Elaine replied in a humorous tone.

"I suppose it isn't…" Emmy admitted before smirking lightly. "Unless you really 'admire' him, that is~." Elaine could have sworn she heard Raymond chuckle lightly.

"If you're trying to suggest I 'ave a crush on 'im, it's a bit pointless," Elaine replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Because you just admitted it?" Elaine frowned at Emmy's question (said woman had a mischievous glint in her eyes, far worse then any Cheshire cat grin), not sure how to answer that. 'No' would easily be turned so that it would look like she was in some sort of denial. 'Yes' would… Well, it was pretty straight foreword actually.

"I'll use my right not to speak on the grounds of being trapped in a no win situation," Elaine answered bluntly.

"Whatever you think will help." Emmy looked back out the window, the playful look she had now vanished and when Elaine looked in the same direction, she understood why.

The ship they had been chasing (now over a forest), was swaying a bit and seemed to slowly be descending.

"What 'appened?!"

"There must have been a malfunction," Emmy reasoned quickly. "Maybe The Professors and Luke did something."

"Possible," Elaine admitted, though she was hesitant about this. Anything could have happened. Even…

"Look! There they are!" Emmy pointed down to one part of the ship. Professor Layton was carrying the Azran girl over his shoulder as he began to go down the rope used to go down the cable, followed by Luke, though Elaine's nerves were only put at ease fully when she saw Desmond joining them, carrying a girl in a simple blue summer dress. No doubt it was Johanna.

Going down the rope, it was hard to tell if they were okay or not. Going through the trees probably wouldn't have been an easy thing to do.

"The Master and sirs will likely jump in the water. We have to pull away from the ship." While the Targent ship continued straight on, going lower and lower, Raymond turned the ship right to land it in the water, and moving to dry land. Once stopped, Elaine asked,

"There wouldn't be a problem if Emmy and I went out to look for them while you stayed 'ere, would there?"

"Not at all, miss. Someone has to keep an eye on the ship after all."

"Merci," Elaine said quickly before she left with Emmy.

Elaine couldn't say where they were exactly when they stepped outside. It looked like some kind of fishing community possibly. Maybe even somewhere in Asia if Elaine was correct.

"So, where do we start?"

"I suppose we should walk along the water and see what happens. If Raymond's right, they probably shouldn't be too far," Emmy said as they began their walk.

"True, true," Elaine agreed. "Do you think the girls are alright?"

"From how Professor Sycamore sounded earlier, I have a feeling he won't be letting go of Johanna too easily. And I'm sure the Professor has kept her safe."

The walk along the lakeside was a strange mix. The walk itself was calming after an exciting chase and the sound of the water made seemed to echo out the solitude there seemed to be here. On the other hand though, the slightly dreary state of the place made it a bit depressing.

"I feel this place 'as seen better days," Elaine remarked. "Must be something good about it though if there are still people 'ere. Either that, or their too attached."

"It looks like a fishing community, so that must be of some sort of help," Emmy pointed out.

"Maybe, but…" Elaine trailed off once she saw the figures ahead of her and quickly ran ahead.

Desmond was kneeling on the ground, soaked wet from the lake, hugging his long lost daughter (also soaked) so tightly it looked as if he was afraid of her disappearing again. He planted a kiss on the top of her head every few seconds, while Johanna could be seen hugging him as tightly as she could.

"I'm sorry." Kiss. "I'm so, so sorry." Kiss. "It won't happen again." Kiss. "Ever." Johanna was heard sniffling a bit.

"I'm just glad to be back with you, Papa."

"I'm glad to." He looked up as Elaine made it to them, followed by Emmy.

"Are you alright?" Elaine asked as Desmond stood up, holding his daughter up. Johanna kept her face hidden in his neck. Some of the lake water had left a bit of a stain on Desmond's glasses.

"Yes, well… It went better than expected you could say." Desmond gave a shaky smile. Only letting it drop when Emmy asked,

"Where the Professor? And Luke and the girl?" Desmond cringed a little.

"Ah, yes… There was a bit of difficulty. You see, the girl somehow unleashed a power that caused the ship to malfunction and went unconscious. After we got off and held onto the rope however, she came to and I think she may have been in shock or just frightened by everything and tried to get out of Professor Layton's grip. Which, she did. She fell into the forest.

"After that, the part of the rope the Professor and Luke were holding onto caught onto a tree briefly and sent them into the forest as well, though likely a slightly different part. Johanna and I were higher up so we were safe and we jumped into the water."

"You jumped. I held on," Johanna was heard faintly murmuring. Desmond chuckled weakly and patted her head.

"Yes, and I apologise for that. Now, would you be comfortable introducing yourself to these nice ladies?" Johanna's grip on her father seemed to tighten briefly, but she hesitantly turned to look at Emmy and Elaine.

She was a cute little girl. She had the same blondish-brown hair of her mother but tied into a side plait, and she had the same red eyes of her father. Closer up now, Elaine noticed a small pattern of daisies around the rim of her blue dress. She also noticed a nearly faded red mark on her right cheek. It seemed Bronev had actually slapped the poor girl.

"Aw, she looks cute~." Elaine cooed, doing her best to give as warm a smile as possible. The young girl blushed and buried her face back in Desmond's neck.

"N-not cute!"

"She's just a little shy right now. Now where's the Bostonius? I think Raymond will be looking forward to making brioches again," Desmond said with a light smirk. Johanna immediately looked back up from his neck with a grin.

"Really?"

"Yes indeed. Do you mind if Elaine holds you for a minute while I clean my glasses?"

"I… Guess not." Elaine was a little taken back by Desmond's request, but with Johanna's consent Elaine took hold of her while Desmond cleaned his glasses. Johanna looked up at her a bit nervously, but Elaine just tried to look friendly enough.

"Bonjour, petit fille," Elaine said, trying to sound cheerful. "I'm Elaine, and that pretty lady over there is Emmy."

"If I'm pretty, what does that make you then?" Emmy asked with a raised eyebrow, smiling in amusement.

"Isn't it obvious?" Elaine asked in an innocent tone. "I'm drop dead gorgeous."

"Then that means you're the damsel in distress, while I'm…" Emmy paused to think of something and Elaine chuckled.

"'Ow about a female knight in shining armour? And I'm no damsel in distress. I just 'ave very bad luck. There's a difference you know."

"I suppose so," Emmy agreed.

"How do you know Papa?" Johanna suddenly asked. She was glancing between Emmy and Elaine and while not looking suspicious of the two, she wasn't exactly a hundred percent relaxed.

"Well, I only really met him today," Emmy admitted. "Elaine knows him longer then I do."

"Really?" Johanna looked up at her, and while Elaine was smiling, she mentally saying a curse in English and French.

"Well, oui. I 'ave known 'im longer," Elaine replied slowly before adding, "But it would be best to ask 'im 'imslef 'ow I would think."

"… Okay then." His glasses now clean, Desmond smiled to Johanna.

"Do you want me to carry you back to the Bostonius?"

"Yes, please." Johanna was already holding her arms out for her father. Elaine handed Johanna back to him. He gave her an appreciative nod, and Elaine wondered if there was some chance Desmond had her hold Johanna other than to clean his glasses. Maybe to try and have Johanna use to her perhaps? Maybe she was thinking too far ahead.

No. No, she was.

"So what do we do now?"

"First, we bring Johanna back to the Bostonius," Desmond began her, Emmy and Elaine started walking. "Then, we look for Professor Layton and Luke, and find the girl."