Hoi! I is back
Hollyshadow the medicine cat: Yeah, one thing I decided at the beginning of the story was that Time Guardians could not be immortal. That would ruin my story concept completely. So I made Tom a human being, just like you and I, always eager to explore. I'm glad you like my story!
Shimmering-Sky: Yes, Randall's always been, in my mind, a prankster. I think I'll have him participate in the jailbreak. Should be interesting...
So yes, pairings have been finalized. I decided to keep Descole-Emmy and Clive-Flora, and everything else is, of course, the same. Including Tom...sigh. Poor guy.
Enjoy this chapter! The real fun starts soon.
Chapter Ten
Tom's Letter
To Hershel Layton, Luke Triton, Emmy Altava, Flora Reinhold, Arianna Barde, Tony Barde, the Black Ravens, Jean Descole, Randall Ascot, and Angela Ascot:
Not long ago, I approached you, requesting that you assist me in finding the Oculus. All of you, I am glad to say, agreed to do so. Above is the full list of everyone relevant, though I have several minor contacts who are personal acquaintances. I shall not disclose their identities.
This letter will provide further information on our mission.
First, make sure to cancel any plans you may have, as searching for the Oculus will almost certainly take a large amount of time.
There is also the possibility that you may not live long enough to see those plans realized; I have every reason to believe that someone else wants the Oculus for their own purposes, and will probably attempt to sabotage our efforts to retrieve it, injuring or even killing one of our allies in the process. As such, we may have to retaliate. Diplomacy will almost certainly not work; anyone who is working for this enemy of ours is probably exceptionally loyal.
I am not worried about the adults; Hershel Layton, Jean Descole, and Randall Ascot I know are good fencers. Emmy Altava is quite skilled in combat. Angela Ascot has her husband for protection; also, they will stay in Monte d'Or for the time being, which I believe will be a safe location.
The children, however, are more vulnerable. Though they are clever and have unique talents, they cannot defend themselves as well . Thus, I have decided that our little party is best divided into three main groups:
Group 1: Hershel Layton, Luke Triton, Arianna Barde, Tony Barde
Group 2: Jean Descole, Emmy Altava, Leon Bronev
Group 3: Clive Dove, Flora Reinhold, the Black Ravens
As previously stated, Randall and Angela Ascot will remain in Monte d'Or for the time being. I plan to have them join the second group later. Randall may go to Group 1 if I feel the Professor is not enough protection.
You may be puzzled that Clive Dove and Leon Bronev have not been sent this letter. There is a very good reason for that: they are in prison. Not just any prison, but one of the most secure prisons in Britain: HM Prison Belmarsh. Hershel Layton, Jean Descole, Emmy Altava, Randall Ascot, and (if willing) the Black Ravens, meet me in the Professor's office at Gressenheller University tomorrow evening, at around 8:00. We will free Leon Bronev and Clive Dove, hopefully unharmed. Leon Bronev has contacts from Targent, he is also a tactical genius. Clive Dove is an excellent machinist; he is decent in combat as well.
I highly suggest that each group travel together at all times. Letting a member wander off could have dire consequences. Danger could be lurking anywhere. I could be a spy. You could be a spy. Anyone could.
The Oculus will probably appear between two weeks and seventeen months from now. It will stay at its location indefinitely, and luckily cannot be used freely. For anyone other than a Time Guardian to use it, they must unlock it. How to do so is something I will not take the time to explain in this letter, as it is not quite important to us.
Know that this will not be a simple search. We must also figure out who is the one who wants the Oculus and why. Simply finding the Oculus first won't do if our enemy is determined.
I will be part of a fourth group consisting of me and my acquaintances. Rest assured, I will keep in touch with letters like this one.
Soon, enemy forces will reveal themselves to the world. Perhaps subtly, perhaps not. Be ready.
We fight for our very existence.
~Tom
Short chapter, yes, but necessary. Please follow, favorite, and review! :D