Chapter 1- Invited to the Party

The days flew by quickly. Soon, it was October already and nearly a month has passed since the last case. The cold gentle breeze blew softly as a man named Hershel Layton walked down the sidewalk, carrying a bag. He went into his house, closing the door behind him. Luke was just coming down from upstairs when he saw Professor Layton carrying a bag.

"Is that what I think it is?" Luke asked, looking excited.

Layton chuckled. "It is." He answered.

"Oh boy! Flora! It's here!" Luke shouted, going back upstairs.

"Really?!" Flora replied with equal enthusaism.

The two raced downstairs and saw Layton in the living room, taking out the costumes from the bag.

"I must say, the quality is quite good." Layton remarked as he took out a black cape. He felt the fabric between his fingers and smiled.

"Let me see mine!" Luke said and started to shuffle the contents of the bag. He took out a white shirt with purple pants. It also came with a white, arabian-looking hat. "My Aladdin costume! Just in time for tonight!"

"Yay! My Alice costume is here!" Flora exclaimed as she took out the blue dress from the bag.

Layton took out the rest of his costume. Black shirt, black pants and a black mask. He put aside the black sombrero.

"Professor! You can't be Zorro without a black sombrero!" Flora said.

"But Flora, He can't be Professor Layton without his top hat! Besides, he'll be some kind of unique top-hatted Zorro!" Luke told Flora.

Layton chuckled. "I like the sound of that." He glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room. It was already six o'clock in the evening.

"We better get ready if we want to get to the party on time."

"Right!" "Okay!" came the response of the two bright and young kids.

And just after an hour, they were all set and ready to go. Layton picked up their invitation and put it inside his pocket. They went out of house and locked the place. Outside, there were several people in costumes, all headed towards the same place. From what he knows, this was the first time someone hosted a costume party and invited almost all people in town.

"C'mon Professor! They might run out of free candies if we don't get there quickly." Luke said, as he noticed all the people headed to the party.

"No need to rush, my boy. I'm pretty sure there would be plenty of candies for everyone." Layton said. He planned to give them his candies later. He wasn't really fond of sweets.

"Still, we might be late! And a true gentleman always comes on time!" Luke said and started to dash towards the mansion. The truth was he just wanted to enjoy his last moments with the Professor. It was their last day, after all.

"If they didn't ran out of Wonderland themed costumes, he could have been the White Rabbit...And you're the Mad Hatter!" Flora said as they both followed Luke.

"Still, you don't see a top-hatted Zorro everyday, do you?" Layton said, joking around. This day is reserved for fun and for fun only. He can loosen up a little today.

Flora giggled. "I guess not." She replied.

While Luke was running he bumped into a man accidentally, making the said man drop his gummy bears.

"Sorry!" Luke apologized. He looked at the man. He was wearing a white, long-sleeved t-shirt. His black hair was messy and...were those a few strands of blond hair he saw? The man was also wearing faded-out baggy pants and worn-out sneakers.

"It's alright. I'll get plenty of candies later. The party's giving out free candies, after all."

"So you're going to the party, too? Awesome! What's going to be your costume?" Luke asked, happy to make a friend.

"Actually, I'm already wearing it." The man said and pulled his black wig off, revealing his blond hair underneath. "I'm going as L. He's from an anime I used to watch."

"Oh, I see. Interesting."Luke remarked as the man put his wig back on, fixing it so that his hair won't show.

"My name is Christoper Cruz, by the way. Nice to meet you...uh..."

"Luke Triton! Apprentice number one! Nice to meet you, Chris." Luke said and smiled.

"Luke Triton, you say? So that means...you're that kid that goes with that Professor, right?" Chris asked.

Luke nodded, earning a smile from Chris.

"Well, I'll be...It's not everyday I meet up with someone well-known. So where's the Professor?"

"He's right be-..."Luke said and turned around. He couldn't see Layton nor Flora. "Uh oh...I think I got separated from them..."

"He's headed to the party, right? Let's just stick together until we find him." Chris proposed.

"Alright, sounds like a plan to me." Luke said as they both started to walk until they reached the mansion's yard. Soon enough, Luke spotted a top hat among the crowd.

"I think I see him!" Luke said as he approached Layton. But this Layton was a bit shorter than he remembered...and he was wearing his usual attire, brown coat and orange turtleneck shirt.

"Professor...why are you...?"Luke started but was surprised when 'Layton' turned around. He...was a she.

"Professor? I guess my costume is really good, then!" the girl said as she turned around and saw Luke and Chris. She gasped and squeeled in delight.

"Oh my god! Luke Triton, right!?" the girl asked.

Luke smiled. "That would be me."

The girl let out a high-pitch squeel. "If you're here, then Professor Layton is nearby!"

Luke stepped back from the girl, afraid she might start hyperventilating. Just as he was about to say that he got separated with the Professor, somebody called his name.

"Luke! There you are!" Flora said. She glared and pouted at the young man. "You shouldn't go so fast! We can't catch up with this crowd!"

Layton was right behind Flora. "Flora's right, Luke." He then saw the girl dressed as him. He chuckled. "My, it seems I have a fan..."he remarked.

"Sorry, Professor." Luke apologized.

"Ah! Professor Layton!" the girl said and went to the man. She took his hand and shook it. "My name is Alice and you inspire me quite a lot! "

"My name's Christoper. It's nice to meet you in person, Professor." Chris introduced himself. After that, he turned to Luke and said, "I guess this is where we part ways."

"Aw, why not join us? The more, the merrier, like they said!" Luke said.

"I'll go with you guys, too. It'll be fun!" Alice said.

"Well, I don't see a problem with this so..."Layton said and smiled. "Let's all go together."

"I heard there's a haunted room in that mansion..."Flora said as she stared at the door. It was still locked, though. Just like it said in the letter. 'The door will open at the seventh toll of the bell...be ready.'

"Interesting..." Luke said and looked at the door as well. Alice stood beside Luke, Chris beside Flora. Layton stood in front of the group. They soon heard a bell in a distance. A lot of people whispered among themselves, excited.

One...Two...Three...

The whisperings stopped and all the people stared at the mansion, all lights suddenly turned off.

Four...Five...Six...

A howl was heard. Ravens landed on the trees that had lost all their leaves and started to caw.

Seven...

Everybody tensed. Flora gripped the Professor's coat. Luke was starting to get scared but he kept a brave face. Chris placed his thumb on lips, smiling crookedly. Alice stared at the door in anticipation. Layton looked straight on. Something was bothering him at the back of his mind but he ignored it. Maybe it was just the atmosphere...maybe.

The door slowly opened and smoke started to pour out of the now opened doorway. There was nothing but darkness. Then, a voice echoed from inside.

"Welcome...to my mansion..."

That was chapter one! So what do you guys think :D? Reviews are loved and Criticism is adored!