Disclaimer: I do not own Professor Layton and all credit goes to Level-5; I make no profit by making this work of fiction and should be used for entertainment purposes only. The events of this story contains spoilers for Spectre's Call/Last Specter, The Curious Village and Lost/Unwound Future. I would also like to mention that none of the evidence given in this fanfiction should be used as evidence in any of the games.

Our Found Future

Prologue

In one way or another, this was how it all started.

There had been other stories- that goes for saying without a doubt. In fact, there had been many other stories. Some rather ordinary and dull, whilst some extraordinary and thrilling. Though none of these other stories have barely any relevance whatsoever to the more important story; this story.

Supposedly, there could be many ways for this story to start. In fact, there was. You could start many years before, however you could also begin this story several tears later. But that wouldn't work. You see, to understand almost every part of this story, you need to hear it from this point exactly and onwards. Of course, you could hear the story from before this beginning, but really, nothing that happened before that bears any relevance.

Ironically, this story has many starts, but it only has one end. Only, you shan't be hearing about that yet. What is the point of beginning a story with the end? Then I may as well not tell you the story at all.

The story you are about to hear is indeed a long one; the story of life; the story of love; the story of loss; and the story of discovery.

And now, the story shall begin.

X-X-X-X-

Claire and Hershel had been together a long time- much longer than any other relationship that began in University did. They'd met much like any other young couple tended to, or at least how they seemed to always meet in films. Though it was an ironic and stereotypical first meeting, it too was a pleasant one. Though you couldn't be sure whether they both would of said that at the time.

Since the start of this story isn't that interesting, I won't spend too much time dwelling on it, and neither should you- especially since the rest of the story is much more interesting. However, I suppose you need to know how these two people at least came to know each other. Although you don't need to know the entire details, it may help you believe this to be a true story, because believe me, this story is the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Anyway, both Claire and Hershel were students in Gressenheller University. It was a rather good University, not quite the best in Britain, but it had a high reputation and many students left there with seconds and firsts in their degrees ready to move on to new chapters in their lifes. Now, a new chapter in their life's had only just begun when Claire and Hershel met, and of course, that unravelled an entire new chapter- a new story in fact.

It was the first term, of their first year at Gressenheller University, meaning both where still incredibly nervous and slightly unsure with what would happen in their lives. Claire, a physics student, was making her way out of the University's extremely large library, with a pile of two-hundred paged books in her hands. As she made her way out of the library to go back up to her dormitory- which she shared with a music student, Brenda- she used her back to push open the door so she could get through. It was just then, when she suddenly lost her balance and all the books fell out of her hands, tumbling to the ground.

I suppose you could say that it was fate, because just as Claire groaned and bent down to pick all the books up (continuously dropping them again and again) another student, Hershel Layton, was making his way towards the library. Coming across the young woman, who must have been his age, who seemed to be struggling immensely with picking up several books that were big enough to be encyclopaedias, he cleared his throat. Jumping up in surprise- and dropping more books in the process- their eyes met and they gazed upon each other.

Claire stared at the man before her, wondering if he were about to yell at her for not. Though he had a kind face and a slightly concerned- yet awkward- expression on his face, she wasn't exactly sure. She'd known University wouldn't be quite the exciting journey that others said it was, and she'd soon discovered that many students weren't the best-mannered of people she could imagine. This man, however, looked like he could be different. He was rather tall and thin, with a few strands of chocolate brown hair poking out of a red cap, that matched his red waistcoat. Beneath it, he wore a white collared shit and black trousers.

"Oh, I... I'm sorry," Claire stammered.

"It's not a problem," he replied, bowing his head down, as if it were a calming gesture, "Here. Let me help."

Before Claire could respond to decline or accept his offer, the man bent down and gathered up half of the books, in his arms. With only two books in her own hands, she gestured for this man, whoever he was, to drop some- if not all- of the books that he was carrying, onto her own pile. However, he simply shook his head.

"No, no," he said, "A gentleman always helps a lady in need."

It was a phrase the man often used, however, no one was exactly sure where it had came from. His Father had always been a polite man and always respected women, as had his friends and other relatives. However, none had ever taught him how to behave around women; he just seemed to observe everything for himself.

Though he'd never shown any interest in women before, he couldn't help stop a certain thought running through his mind, as his eyes fell upon the smile of the woman in front of him. Her hair was auburn, a hair colour that he'd always approved off, and it seemed to shimmer a golden bronze as the light streamed upon the waves. Her eyes were blue, and although they were framed by a pair of glasses, they seemed to only outline her eyes more and increase their beauty.

"Thank you," she grinned. Her smile astounded the man, as her eyes seemed to sparkle.

"I assure you, it's not a problem," he nodded, "Where were you headed? I'll help you carry these books to your destination."

"My dorm. Honestly, I'm fine, you don't have to help me..."

"No, no, I insist. Where's your dormitory?"

"Claire hesitated for a split second before replying. "Building four, floor two, flat six B."

"Then that's where we'll go."

They made their way across the campus in silence, neither sure what to say to each other. Although the man was in his first term at the university- as was Claire- and was occupying a building on the other side of the campus, he knew perfectly well where the building was. Mainly, since his room-mate, and best friend, Clark Triton, had been seeing a woman named Brenda, he believed, who lived in building four and had met Clark outside there many times.

Once they arrived outside the red-headed woman's dormitory, they stopped outside.

"Thank you," the physics student smiled.

"No need to thank me Miss. Doing good deeds is what a gentleman does," the man smiled back.

A soft radiant glow bloomed across the woman's face. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know your name," she inquired.

"It's Hershel. Hershel Layton," he replied, "May I ask your name?"

"Claire. Claire Foley," she introduced herself.

"Well, Claire, it was nice to meet you." Hershel bowed his head.

And just like that, they had found their future.

AN: If you haven't noticed/weren't on fanfiction earlier in the year, this is a repost of a fic that was up in the Summer What If? . Anyway, this version should be a lot better. :D

Reviews are highly appreciated! :D x