Professor Layton and the Angel's Prophecy

Epilogue

The circus was bombastic, with bright colours wherever you looked: rainbow balloons and dancing clowns, vibrant pink fairy floss and large green lollipops. It provided a nice colourful contrast to the city in which it was being hosted: Monte d'Or, a city already known for its colours during the carnival, but the carnival was for the night, and the Cirque occupied the day. The Cirque Du Mystère had become world famous, touring across Europe, America and wherever the demand was highest. Despite its reputation, Hershel would visit it once a year for a very special reason.

Hand wrapped around Emmy's shoulder, the couple strolled past the fantastical variety of stalls: of ridiculous circus games with hammers and balls and moving obstacles, to puzzling mind games the likes of which Hershel was familiar: a little diorama with three wolves and three chicks crossing a river with a raft, to matchsticks that formed different shapes and animals, and even a table that tilted to direct a ball to the end of the maze - and even brain-melting riddles. The circus was distinct in its focus on the mind. Those who visited never left without learning a thing or two, even if it just left their head hurting afterwards.

Emmy stopped as she directed the pram around a child who had tripped over, wailing for her mummy and daddy who didn't seem to be in the area. Hershel stopped to help the little girl up, holding her hand, telling her he would keep her safe until they found her parents. Soon enough, a bewildered couple sprinted through the crowd, calling after their Florence, and Hershel raised a hand. Their relief was immediate and they thanked Hershel generously.

"It is quite alright," Hershel beamed, gesturing at the pram beside him. "I know what it's like to raise a little one."

"What's his name?" the father asked.

There was a rattle followed by a thud and Emmy roared.

"ALFENDI! You don't hit mummy with your rattle! Bad Alfie!"

Hershel chuckled lightly and then bade farewell to the parents, waving to the little girl who was sucking on her thumb. Once they left, he fell in place beside Emmy and they waded their way through the throng until they found what they were looking for: the Tinkerer's Tent. It was shaped like a large cannon, and wasn't really a tent at all, but the door was wide open and the sign displaying its name was loud and inviting.

As Emmy just managed to manoeuver the pram through the small opening, Hershel entered a scene of pure chaos and delight. Inside the wide space of the Tinkerer's tent lay dozens of weird and wonderful contraptions, more than half of them completely different to the ones he had seen on his last visit. Large shelves housed hundreds of smaller contraptions, and Hershel noticed a large glass orb in one corner of the room, eerily reminiscent of the bubble ship he had travelled in in his quest against Oliver Strapping.

Seated at the centre at his table filled to the brim with spare parts, cogs and gears, was the Tinkerer himself, tongue hanging out, goggles strapped on, an intense look on his face as he hunched over a circuitry board, soldiering it together.

"Don Paolo!" Hershel exclaimed, gaining the attention of the ex-arch rival, and now good friend. Unlike his previous attire consisting of a menacing purple coat and devil-horned hair, Don Paolo now sported a suit, and more streamlined hairstyle, though it wasn't quite as ordinary as that. The suit was purple, a call back to his coat, but it was filled with tiny little embroidered stars, and a green handkerchief hung loosely out one pocket. His sleeves were pulled up and he was wearing large black gloves. His hair, though not the respectable slicked back style he sported in Gressenheller, was a little wild, though that was only because he cared more about his inventions than his appearance. Already Hershel could see this new suit was burned in several places and was stained heavily.

Don Paolo glanced up, his eyes abnormally large, magnified by the goggles. Alfendi squealed delightedly and Don Paolo realised what he was laughing at, removing his goggles so they rested atop his forehead. Standing, he flung his arms wide and approached his friends.