Professor Layton And The Bereft Monocle

Chapter 5: 'Welcome To Royal Porstow!'

Walking into the darkness, everyone could tell that something was wrong. Everything felt dull and the overgrown trees looked ancient, almost like nobody had lived in Royal Porstow for centuries.
However, they had finally arrived to a little, yet creepy-looking village.
Everything around them looked dark and horrible. The almost-destroyed buildings had veins on them. There were tables that had been flipped over with mouldy food and drinks everywhere. There were bones of mainly horses near a rundown stable, and the atmosphere was even creepier with the fact that huge trees were surrounding Royal Porstow.
Randall: "This is where you were forced to stay...?! In this disgusting, abandoned village...?!"
Edward: "Don't worry, Ascot. Royal Porstow only looks like this because of the curse. It looks amazing when there isn't a blood moon, trust me!"
Desmond: "Curse? So the rumour about these woods being cursed is true, but for the wrong reason?"
Edward: "Indeed, Professor Sycamore. But I wouldn't call it a curse... I would call it a blessing."
Leon: "What's so good about this place that you want to call the curse a blessing?!"
Edward: "Because Mixies are so much better than humans! We can do anything!"
Angela: "What are Mixies?!"
Hershel had a malicious grin on his face. He looked like he was excited to show everyone something, almost like a child.
Edward: "Go on, my miracle. Take your Cloak off. It's time we tell everyone the truth."
Without saying another word, Hershel had finally removed his Cloak, but Edward remained still.
Hershel: "Finally...!"
He turned around with a mischievous smile on his face, though he clearly looked like his was in quite a lot of pain.
Randall: "Hershel, what's happening to you?! Y-Your skin-!"
Desmond: "Put the Cloak back on!"
Hershel: "No...! You're going to see my true nature...! This is that you peasants have done to me...!"
They could see his skin - as well as his clothes - burning off. They were turning completely black, and could even see his black, weak bones from inside of his body.
His hair colour had turned completely black, and blood was pouring out of his eyes and mouth.
He groaned in pain as a red-glowing hand came out of his bloodied up mouth, then collapsed onto Edward.
Edward: "Take it easy dear. I know it hurts. It's a curse you and I have got to live with forever, after all."
Hershel: "I-I know...!"
Everyone was horrified by what they had just seen. They couldn't get the image of Hershel turning into such a monstrosity out of their heads.
Leon: "What have you done to him?! What even are you?!"
Edward: "Mixies. Creepy looking creatures, wouldn't you agree?"
Desmond: "You absolute monster...! Did you do this?!"
Edward: "Indeed. I discovered Hershel drowning in the Abkadain Ruins and I simply couldn't leave him alone! I took him back here and gave him aid, and that's where his little adventure started!"
Randall: "You what?! Hershel, why didn't you tell us this?!"
Angela: "You almost drowned?!"
Hershel ignored their remarks, and simply checked his monocle again.
Hershel: "Here is the true past. MY true past. But don't get near anyone or try and talk to them. They can't hear or see you. Everything you are about to see is just a memory of mine."
The world around them started to change, but Randall didn't care about that at the moment. He grabbed Hershel's hand and turned him around, then took a good look at him.
Randall: "Your skin has completely burned off! How are you still alive?! How aren't you in agony?!"
Hershel: "I've gotten used to it. If you really want to know how I ended up like this, I suggest looking at the memory."
Randall: "No! I want a full explanation from you!"
Hershel: "Too bad."
Just as Hershel had said that, their surroundings had changed to a carriage with a a couple of horses carrying it.
He smiled maliciously as he took a step back to enjoy the show.
Randall: "I recognise this place...! This place is...!"
He flinched as he had finally realised that he was near the Abkadain Ruins.
Desmond: "How did we get here?!"
Hershel: "Would you all keep quiet? I'm trying to watch the show!"
Randall: "No! How did we get here, Hershel?!"
Hershel: "Oh, we're still in Royal Porstow. This is just a memory. We're not really here!"
Everyone was confused, and a heard footsteps of a human coming towards them.
That person was none other than Hershel himself, but he was shorter and had an afro. He looked like he was ready to cry, but held it in as best as he could.
Randall: "You've taken us back to when... I fell?"
The present Hershel didn't say a word, he just kept staring at his past self. The others took it as a sign that he wouldn't be answering any questions whatsoever.
Leon, mumbling: "I don't even recognise my own son from when he was a teenager... Goes to show what kind of father I am."
Desmond: "What was that?"
Leon: "... Nothing important."
As he said that, the young Hershel put everything he had in the carriage, but didn't leave just yet.
He went over to a tree and sat next to it, not believing had just happened.
Randall, Angela and Alphonse went over to him, and soon realised that he was crying silently and had curled up into a little ball.
Randall, patting Hershel's head: "Hershel, it's alright! I'm right here!"
There was no response, but the crying had just gotten louder.
Randall: "Please don't cry, Hersh...! I don't like seeing you this way...!"
Angela: "Randall, he can't hear you..."
Randall: "There must be a way to change the memory! There must be a way for him to listen!"
Young Hershel: "Randall...! Why did you make us go...?!"
Randall: "Hershel, wake up! I'm here, alright?! There's no need to cry! Please listen!"
It was no use. Hershel couldn't hear him no matter what he did. Alphonse dragged Angela and Randall away from the young boy and let the memory play without people being in the way.
Desmond: "Hershel, why did you go there?! You were aware that it was dangerous, weren't you?!"
Hershel shrugged, then pointed at Randall with a grin. Desmond immediately knew that Ascot was the one behind it, and clenched his fist in fury.
Desmond: "Ascot, you idiot...! I know you and Layton went there when you were young, but I didn't know you forced him to go...!"
Randall: "H-Hey! I didn't force him to go! I persuaded him!"
Desmond: "Well, I bet you still couldn't keep your fucking mouth shut, could you?! No wonder my brother hates you the most!"
Randall: "Hershel doesn't hate me! It's just that-!"
Leon: "Could you two do me a favour and shut up?"
Randall: "Fine..."
Desmond rolled his eyes in frustration and looked back, only to realise that young Hershel was getting back on his carriage.
Young Hershel: "What am I going to tell the others...? It's my fault Randall is dead...!"
He put his hand on his mouth as he started tearing up again.
Young Hershel: "It's my fault...!"
Angela: "The poor thing is panicking..."
Randall felt horrible for his old friend, and put his hand on his in defeat, fully aware at the fact that he couldn't change the past.
Randall: "It's not your fault, Hersh... Please don't blame yourself..."
???: "Hey! Don't go! Please, I need help!"
The young Hershel froze at the scream. He slowly looked back towards the cliff, feeling creeped out.
Young Hershel: "Who's there...?"
???: "Please...! Help me...! I'm stuck...!"
At this point, the boy knew that he couldn't leave when someone nearby was hurt. He slowly walked towards the cliff, and the unknown voice slowly started getting louder and clearer.
???: "That's it! I'm behind the rock!"
Hershel looked towards his right, and there was indeed a rock. He could've sworn that the huge object wasn't there before he had arrived with Randall, but ignored it just in case he was wrong.
Hershel: "H-How did you get stuck there?! Are you behind the rock?!"
???: "Yes! Please, help me! If the rock falls, I-I'll fall with it!"
Hershel: "When did you get stuck...?"
???: "Probably and hour ago... I went to the edge of the cliff, but... This rock suddenly came rolling towards me...! I'm so glad it stopped... But my leg is stuck in it! I can't feel it!"
Once he had said that, the young man behind the rock put his hand out in full view to Hershel could see.
However, a part of Hershel told him not to believe the unknown man. After all, his story didn't sound believable. But he still decided to trust him, just in case.
Hershel: "Don't worry! I've got room for another person in my carriage... I can take you back to my hometown and aid you...!"
???: "Thank you... Thank you...!"
Hershel smiled warmly. He wouldn't let the unknown man die like Randall did.
He slowly walked towards the edge of the cliff, trying to see who was behind the rock.
However, no one was behind it. He was confused, since he even saw the hand himself five seconds beforehand.
Young Hershel: "Huh?"
He tried looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
Young Hershel: "Where did he go?"
Suddenly, he felt the ground moving from underneath him. The ground at the edge of the cliff had started to collapse because of Hershel's weight, but he was too late. It was already started to fall, taking him with it.
Young Hershel: "Wh-What the-?!"
???: "NO! NOT AGAIN!"
Just before Hershel fell off the cliff, he felt the unknown man's hand touch his, failing miserably to grab it.
Randall quickly ran over to the edge of the cliff and held his hand out, desperately wanting to catch Hershel.
He kept breathing heavily and sobbing, being forced to witness his old friend die before his very eyes. He finally understood what Hershel was always forced to go through, and the true despair that he had to cope with.
He sat back up to wipe his tears, telling himself that they were all lies. However, the tears continued to roll down his face, since another part of him told him that what he just saw was very real.
Meanwhile, as the poor boy continued to fall, he clung onto a part of the rock as if he was hugging it, accepting death.
However, once he had finally reached the bottom, he didn't hit the ground. Instead, he fell into a river.
He was already losing his consciousness from how hard he had hit his back on the way in the water. And to make things worse, he couldn't breathe because the water couldn't lift him up due to the rock holding him down.
Seconds past by, but it felt like minutes for Young Hershel. He closed his eyes as he felt his world going dark around him. He felt good to die though. He felt like he deserved it. He couldn't live his life knowing that his best friend had died because of him.
Just before he had completely passed out, he heard a sound. As if someone had jumped into the water and getting rid of the huge rock on top of him.
Then, it all went completely black. He couldn't feel his body, and he couldn't even think anymore. He felt as if his soul had left his body, and was in peace. He wasn't in agony anymore.
The person who had jumped into the water had removed the rock from Hershel's body, then lifted him up to safety.
That man was none other than Edward himself. He checked Hershel's pulse and breathing, but couldn't feel anything.
Edward: "No...! Don't tell me he's dead...!"
He was panicking, but remembered what to do. He started giving him cardiopulmonary resuscitation, trying to get bring the boy back.
Eventually, he heard Hershel breathing and coughing up water, but he sounded as if he was in awful pain.
Something that Edward hadn't noticed was that Hershel's torso was bleeding uncontrollably because of his locked concentration on keeping him alive. He gently wrapped his coat around, keeping Hershel warm as he patred his head.
Edward: "Where does it hurt?!"
Hershel: "M-My back...! And w-waist...!"
Edward looked closely at Hershel's waist and felt sick to his stomach to see that he had broken most of his ribs.
Edward: "Oh god...! Don't worry, I'll help you...!"
Young Hershel: "What's going on...?"
After he finished his sentence, he started feeling even dizzier than before. He passed out as he felt Edward running while carrying him, but this time he could breathe, and was warmer.
He quickly picked Hershel up and started running away, then the memory completely stopped.
Randall was on the ground, standing completely still. He was horrified by what he had just seen, but felt someone patting his back.
Hershel: "It doesn't feel nice watching your friends die, hm?"
He giggled as Randall stared into his dead eyes.
Hershel: "Well, its not like we ARE friends. After all, you had just manipulated me. If it weren't for my decision, me and Henry would've left you to die."
Randall: "What a horrible thing to say...! How could you just look at this memory and smile...?!"
Hershel: "Because Edward had saved me that day... He made me realise that you humans have all got one thing in common."
Randall: "A-And what's that...?!"
Hershel: "Greed. You're all selfish. You'll do absolutely anything to get what you want. You don't care who gets hurt, as long as you're happy."
Randall: "That's not true at all...! The only people who do that are sick...!"
Hershel: "Then you're calling yourself sick? I could've sworn that you had done the exact same thing five years ago..."
Randall: "That's not the same, Hershel...! I wasn't greedy, nor selfish...! I was angry, alright...?! And I didn't know! You know I couldn't remember!"
Hershel: "I don't care if you remembered or not. You still did it. And now, you must face the consequences."
Randall: "Hershel, please... You're going to regret this...! You're going to look back at this moment and feel nothing but guilt...!"
Hershel: "No... I've been waiting years for this...! I'm not going to let a lowlife farmer like you stop me!"
Desmond: "Layton, what I just saw was lies. I don't believe this for a second."
Hershel: "Of course you don't, Professor Sycamore... Well, I don't really care if you don't. After all, you're going to be in quite a lot of agony for eternity, so thinking about my past will be the last thing on your mind."
Desmond: "What has happened to you...? Why are you talking to me like this?!"
Hershel looked at him and snorted, then started laughing hysterically at what he had just said.
Hershel: "ARE YOU THICK?! YOU'VE SPOKEN TO ME I'M THIS KIND OF MANNER AS WELL! ALL I'M DOING IS GIVING YOU A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE!"
Desmond: "Don't you understand that this is awful for your health?! At least we weren't crazy lunatics like you are!"
He looked away and mumbled something.
Desmond: "Apart from Bronev, of course."
Hershel: "What was that, Professor~? You said that last part so quietly that my body felt revealed at the fact that I wasn't listening to your disgusting voice anymore!"
Leon: "Oh, stop fighting! Just tell us what happened next! We haven't got all night!"
Hershel: "Fine, fine! Since you're so interested, I will!"
Without even giving it a second thought, Hershel let another memory play.
He sat back and enjoyed the view, mainly watching everyone's faces turn pale.
This time, they were all back in Royal Porstow. However, it was daytime, and all of the buildings looked old-fashioned, yet very charming.
Edward: "I found another one! He's severely hurt!"
People came running out of their houses, some with medicine and casts, as if they were expecting this to happen. A few of them wearing white coats, supposedly the doctors, then gathered around Hershel's body and removed his coat, tie and shirt.
They were all shocked to see his broken ribs and back, wondering how he was still alive.
Doctor 1: "We need to take him to the hospital right now. He hasn't got much time left."
Edward: "Make sure he doesn't die...! We can't fail him like we did the others...!"
The doctors quickly put him into a wheeled stretcher, then took him away to the hospital as the people watched.
Angela: "Why didn't you tell us you broke your ribs, Hershel?! Let alone your back! How did you even survive?!"
Hershel: "Huh... I still ask myself that question to this day. Maybe it was destiny?"
He giggled as he looked back.
Hershel: "Or a miracle?"
He snickered at the joke.
Randall: "This isn't a time to laugh! What happened after that?!"
Hershel: "Eugh... The next part is boring, so I won't show it you. Basically, Edward just visited me every day for a whole month since I had fallen into a coma. You, Henry and Alphonse thought I was dead as well, didn't you, Angela?"
Angela: "W-We did, but..."
Randall: "Wait, so Hershel DIDN'T return the same afternoon that I had died?!"
Hershel: "No... It was over a month, close to two..."
Desmond: "Enough of this madness! Just show us what happened when you woke up!"
Hershel smiled, completely his brother's request.
They were in a hospital room, and saw young Hershel in bed with casts.
Randall immediately towered over him in horror, looking at his horrible wounds.
Meanwhile, Edward was sitting next to him the entire time, waiting for him to wake up.
Suddenly, a doctor knocked on the door, then opened it.
Doctor: "You have been visiting the boy for an entire month now, sir... You've been sitting in here with him all day. Are you sure you don't want to go out for some fresh air?"
Edward: "No! He's going to wake up soon! I know he is!"
Doctor: "If you insist... But there is an extremely low possibility for him to survive... You are aware of that, correct?"
Edward: "... He has broken all of his ribs and his spine. It is truly a miracle that he is still alive. He is going to make it. I know he is."
The doctor sighed, completely defeated. He shut the door on his way out and Edward pulled out a book, trying to kill some time.
A few hours later of absolute silence in the room, Hershel finally woke up from his coma.
He opened his eyes and immediately felt the agonising pain in his entire torso, and groaned in pain.
Hershel: "Gh...! Hn...!"
Edward: "My word...! You're awake! Thank goodness!"
Without even giving Hershel an explanation as to what was going on, Edward ran off to get the doctor.
A few minutes later, they both came in and gave him some painkillers.
Once Hershel wasn't in pain anymore, Edward sat beside him and smiled.
Edward: "Feeling better?"
Hershel: "You... I recognise your voice..."
Edward: "Yes... I was the man with you at the edge of that cliff. Just before you got behind the rock to find me, I had finally managed to remove my hand, but you had fallen before I could save you... Fortunately, however, you fell into some water!"
Hershel: "I remember... You saved me, didn't you?"
Edward: "Yes! You broke all of your ribs from a hugs rock you were holding onto... And you fell into the water on your back with such force that your spine broke..."
Hershel was horrified by what he had just heard. He shivered just at the thought that one of the bones in his body that were keeping him alive was broken.
Hershel: "How am I... Still alive? Aren't I supposed to be dead?!"
Edward: "Honestly, I'm not sure about that myself... But that doesn't matter! You're safe now."
Hershel smiled at the man's kind face.
Hershel: "Oh... I'm so rude... I didn't get the chance to thank you... I owe you everything... Thank you so much...!"
Edward: "It's fine, don't even worry about it! I'm Edward, by the way! Edward Miracle!"
Hershel: "Huh... It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward... I'm Hershel Layton."
Edward jumped in surprise.
Edward: "Hershel Layton?! Aw! What a pretty name!"
Hershel was shocked by Edward's reaction. He didn't expect a compliment at all. He blushed and looked away, smiling.
Hershel: "You... You do? Ehehe, it's not like it's special..."
Edward: "What are you talking about?! It is, both the surname AND first name! My, my... It has been... So many years since I even heard of the word 'Hershel'. Not to mention 'Layton' is an extremely rare surname! You're probably the youngest Layton that exists!"
Hershel: "You know a lot about names."
Edward: "Of course I do. I like meeting new people, and you're quite a unique person to remember! Hershel Layton... It has a beautiful ring to it."
Hershel's face was red. He didn't know what to say by Edward's flustering compliments.
Edward: "Anyways, come on. Let's get you out of bed."
Hershel: "Oh, yes. Of course."
Edward helped Hershel put his feet in the ground, then slowly and gently started lifting him up.
Hershel: "Gh-!"
Edward: "Are you alright? Do you need to sit down again?"
Hershel: "No... I can do this."
Edward: "If you say so. But if the pain gets too severe, please tell me. I don't want to see you get hurt again."
Hershel: "Yes, I understand."
As he said that, Edward gave a small push upward and Hershel had finally managed to get back onto his feet.
Edward: "I'll let go in three, two, one..."
Edward slowly let go of Hershel and walked away, giving Hershel space.
His legs felt weak, like they hadn't walked anywhere for days, which they really hadn't.
Hershel: "I feel fine..."
Edward: "That's amazing news! You're getting better already! Here, try walking over to me!"
There was a window next to Edward, and he opened it with enthusiasm.
His happy smile and excitable mood reminded Hershel of Randall, which made him even more sad.
Hershel: "Alright... I'm coming."
Hershel started walking towards him, then smiled once he realised that he could walk without feeling pain.
Edward gently took his hands and they giggled as Hershel sat next to the window.
Edward: "Great job, Hershel! I'm so proud of you!"
Hershel: "Ahaha... Thank you."
Edward: "Anyways..."
Full of excitement, Edward burst open the windows.
Edward: "Welcome to Royal Porstow!"
There were people full of friendly and happy faces outside. Children were playing, a small band was playing classical music, and the decorations were bright and lively.
Hershel: "This is... Where you live? It's... Beautiful. I have never seen anything like this!"
Edward: "You think so? I'm so glad you think that way."
Hershel smiled as he listened to the music. He felt peaceful, trying to get rid of the horrible trauma from his mind.
Edward: "You know, Hershel... I have never met anyone like you before. You're so calm, yet so cheerful. How are your friends like where you live?"
Hershel gasped, remembering what had happened to Randall.
He felt like his body was slowly getting hotter and hotter by the second as the image of Randall's sad face before falling burned itself into Hershel's brain. Every muscle in his body clenched, as well as his teeth.
Slowly, tears started to roll down his face as he covered his mouth. He may have felt sadness in his life, but he had never felt like this before. He felt angry, scared and he was in complete despair. He considered Randall's death his fault, and started mumbling things under his breath.
Hershel: "This is my fault...! I'm a murderer...! I killed my best friend...!"
He kept repeated those three sentences, each time getting louder and louder. However, he hadn't realised that Edward was shaking and shouting at him, trying to make him snap out of it.
Edward: "Hershel?! Hershel! Are you alright?! What happened?!"
He sighed as he slapped Hershel, making him come back to his senses.
Hershel: "Gh...!"
Edward: "Did I hurt you?! Oh dear, I'm so sorry! It's just that you started crying out of nowhere! You wouldn't listen to me! What happened to you?!"
Hershel: "I killed my best friend...!"
Edward: "No, not this again... This isn't your fault...!"
Hershel: "And how do you know?! You weren't there to see it!"
Hershel crossed his arms and huffed as he looked away, desperately trying to stop crying.
Hershel: "I need to go home and turn myself in to the authorities. I will never forgive myself for what I've done."
Edward: "No, don't be ridiculous... They will understand. You didn't kill him, Hershel. It's his fault he felt like the Mask of Chaos was more important than dropping it and giving you his other hand."
Hershel: "How do you know that?"
Edward: "Hm?"
Hershel: "I never told you about that. Were you... Spying on us?!"
Edward: "What?! That's preposterous! I would never do such thing!"
Hershel: "Then how do you know how Randall died?!"
Edward: "You told me last ngght, while you were in bed. I suppose you were drifting off while you were telling me the story."
Hershel: "Oh... That makes sense, I think... Sorry for shouting at you... I just got scared."
Edward: "No, it's alright! I understand. But what was that just now? Your little breakdown there was disturbing..."
Hershel: "What do you mean? Did I do something?!"
Edward: "Yes... You showed me  symptoms of a trigger. Did you feel like your body was burning?"
Hershel: "I-In fact, I was... I couldn't think straight. I still can't... I'm not as bad as I was five minutes ago, but my chest hurts... I-I..."
He burst into tears again.
Hershel: "I can't control myself...! Why can't I control myself...?!"
Edward: "No, not again!"
Edward didn't know what to do, so he simply pulled Hershel into his embrace and patted his head.
Edward: "Shh... It's alright..."
Hershel: "Everything hurts...! But why?!"
Edward: "It seems like you're traumatised by that event... Badly... I think it would be best if we took you home as fast as possible so you can talk to someone and get help..."
Hershel: "But what if they-?!"
Edward: "No."
Hershel: "B-But-!"
Edward: "No!"
Hershel: "But they'll-!"
Edward: "Hershel!"
Edward quickly crouched down to Hershel's height and put his hands on his shoulders.
Edward: "Everything is going to be okay in the end, alright?! You are safe with me!"
Hershel took a deep breath, but still felt like his life was over. He forced a smile with very little effort, then started walking outside.
Hershel: "I need some fresh air..."
Edward: "Oh! I'm coming with you!"
With a spring in his step, Edward followed his new friend outside.
Just as Hershel finally got out of the horrible hospital, he gasped and turned around.
Hershel: "Wait! How much money do I have to pay for my aid? I don't have any money on me..."
Edward: "Money? What's money?"
Hershel was shocked once he heard Edward say that, but thought it was a joke.
Hershel: "Edward, this is serious! Money! How much do I have to pay off...?"
Edward: "E-Erm... Hershel... I'm terribly sorry, but we do not use whatever that is in our village... Your home must be very different to mine."
Hershel: "You... Actually don't know what that is? Then what do you use to exchange with when you buy something?"
Edward: "Oh... We just exchange the time we want with things that have got the same value!"
Hershel: "Like... Wheat?"
Edward: "Yes!"
Hershel felt quite disturbed at the fact that Royal Porstow did not interact much with the outside world. He didn't understand what was going on.
Hershel: "Oh, uhm... I-I suppose that is quite bizarre... People used to do pay like that many years ago..."
Edward: "I know! It's just that we don't leave the village at all because it takes such a long time to get back home. We really don't want to