Hollyshadow the medicine cat: Misthallery seems like a nice place, so I wanted Tom to explore it. At first, he refused, saying he had more important things to do. He gave in after I threatened to delete him from the story via a gruesome death. Also, I said, the readers would enjoy it. Tom cares about you guys, you know. What? I'm totally not insane.

GoldGriffin: Clershel OTP! :D I never really liked Emmy/Layton. And hell no Luke/Layton. Like...seriously. That's just creepy. Legal Luke/Layton doesn't make it better either!

And yes, HM Prison Belmarsh is a real place.

Chapter Six

The First Rule of Life

"Good afternoon, Professor. I just returned from Misthallery. Found some friends of yours."

The Professor ignored Tom's statement. "So why have you returned to my office? You were already here this morning."

"I need you to have Scotland Yard grant me access to HM Prison Belmarsh."

Professor Layton's eyes widened. "You do realize that people consider it the most dangerous prison in Britain?"

"I'm aware of that. But there are people there that I need. That I know are good at heart. That you know are good at heart."

"I think I know who you're talking about." Professor Layton closed his eyes and sighed. "Very well. I will inform Inspectors Chelmey and Grosky of your request, though I cannot guarantee that they'll let you in."

"Thank you, Professor. By the way, Luke's moved back to Misthallery. You might want to visit him sometime."

Before the Professor could reply, Tom walked out of the office.

Luckily, the Professor's reputation was quite enough to convince the police to let Tom in, though they did at first try to dissuade him from entering.

"It's not safe. These are some of the worst prisoners in the entire country. Are you sure you want to talk to any of them?" Inspector Chelmey asked.

"Yes. I am very sure."

"Well, suit yourself. Why do you want to, anyway?"

"Want to what?"

"Talk to them."

"Hasn't the Professor already explained everything?"

"Yes, he has, but I don't understand why you're visiting this hellhole to find allies. I'm certainly not assisting you in getting them out of this place, though if you manage to, I won't send people after you."

"Thank you."

"So, which prisoner do you want to meet first?"

"Leon Bronev."

Inspector Chelmey led Tom down a hallway and into a room divided by a glass pane.

"He'll be here shortly."

Chelmey soon returned with the requested inmate. A single glance at the man on the other side of the barrier told Tom that this man had probably been through a lot in his life, more so than many other people. This was a man who had clearly seen both shining light and dark despair.

"I'll leave you two be, then." The inspector left the room.

At first, neither Tom nor Bronev spoke. It was Tom who broke the silence:

"Hello, Leon Bronev."

The man twitched. "How do you know my name?"

"Simple. I met with Theodore Bronev-or, should I say, Hershel Layton."

"Heh." The man smiled wistfully. "I could have been his father. I was...twisted. Twisted by my single-minded pursuit of an Azran Legacy which turned out to be a complete lie!" He trembled as he said those words. It was clear mentioning the Professor triggered a sensitive nerve.

"You are his father. You are a good man."

"How could I ever call myself his father? He himself said he could never consider me as family. I am a terrible role model, an ambitious man with no regard for others. Theodore Bronev no longer exists. He is a shadow. In his place is Hershel Layton, a man Theodore could never have surpassed had he remained under my care."

"That's where you're wrong," Tom interjected emphatically. "You are a great role model, Bronev. You have cunning. You have passion. You are willing to sacrifice everything for what you believe is right. And...you know how to feel guilt. Though you did commit horrible deeds to unlock the Azran Legacy, you recognized the error of your ways and sacrificed yourself to save the world. Now, I need your help to save it again."

Tom, for the third time that day, explained what the Oculus was, what a Time Guardian was, and what the problem was.

"Your son knows about this. He has agreed to help me. Though he is in a bit of a, well, negative mental state..."

"I know," interrupted Bronev.

Tom was surprised. "How so?"

"Let's just say a certain...informant tells me about what's going on in the outside world."

Of course. "Let me guess, Emmeline Altava?"

"Yes. She prefers to be called Emmy now, ever since Targent was disbanded. Her name in the organization was Emmeline."

"I see. Do you know where she lives now?"

"I believe she has taken up residence at...St. Mystere? I'm not sure of the exact address."

If Tom was surprised, he most certainly did not show it. "Thank you. Perhaps I'll seek her help as well."

"That would be wise. Emmy is certainly a capable young woman. I am quite glad she has found a life outside of working for Targent."

"Yes, her fighting skills are certainly effective. Well, that's all. Thank you, Mr. Bronev."

"I should be the one thanking you, Mr...?

"The name's Tom."

"Alright. Thank you, Tom."

"I bet I know the other person you came to see. I'll fetch him for you."

"Thank you, Inspector Chelmey."

Soon, Chelmey returned with a sullen looking young man, dressed in the usual prison outfit.

"He's all yours, sir."

"Thank you."

Once Chelmey left the room, the man asked, "Who are you? And what do you want?"

"My name is Tom. Hello, Clive."

"Am I really that infamous?" Clive sighed. "Everyone remembers me as a monster. A terrorist. And they're right. I tried to destroy London to satisfy my lust for revenge. I was a truly lost person. I suppose I still am."

"Well, whether you remain one is up to you."

"I suppose."

"Clive, I have come to you because I need your help."

Clive laughed bitterly. "What could you possibly want from me?"

Tom told Clive of the crisis he was facing. "Your skills in deception and construction will be invaluable. Besides, don't you wish to atone for your crimes? Is saving the world not the best way to do it? The Professor and the others are part of this as well. In fact, the Professor convinced the authorities to let me speak to you."

For a full minute, Clive was silent. Then, he began to speak. "I just have one request."

"Yes?"

"Don't let the Professor know I'm helping you." Clive's voice cracked. "I-I can't face him. And them. Not after what I've done..."

"I think the Professor will understand."

"How can he? How do you justify the attempted destruction of an entire city?"

"You don't." Clive stared. "What you did was terrible, Clive. There's no denying that. But you are willing to make up for what you have done. That, in itself, is quite admirable. Not every person lost their parents while they were only a child. Not everyone who did dealt with it successfully. You did, and more. You gave yourself a goal. Perhaps not a good goal, but the fact is, what you did required strength. It took mental tenacity. Now, imagine that mind of yours being put to good use, as a positive force. You are a genius, Clive. You are not a monster, simply a boy who has been lost for over ten years. But you are still stuck in the past. You are still scarred by the explosion, haunted by your crimes. The only advice I can give you is this."

"Sometimes, learning from the past enhances your future, but sometimes it is best to let the past burn."

Chapter Seven: Tom meets Emmy and Flora in St. Mystere.

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:D

Bok Choi