a/n: guess who is starting a new prof. Layton fanfic? Me! For this one, all the power is going to you lovely reviewers! That's right guys. I want OCs, I want plot twists, I want requests, I want everything you guys have to offer me! I know that most of my old buddies aren't active on this site anymore so it's a shame I can't write their OCs for them anymore, but I would love to write whatever you guys want me to. Please review or pm me with any ideas or OCs you have that you would like to see. I already have my debut OC, Katarina.

Now let's begin, shall we?

Chapter 1

The professor yawned, staring at the pile of paperwork stacked on his desk. The university was unusually quiet, yet he found it harder to work that way. A newspaper was left discarded on the couch in his office. For once, he didn't feel like reading it anymore.

Every day was the same. Since Bill Hawks returned to office a few years back, the government had suffered scandal after scandal. There were riots going on all over Great Britain, but it was the worst in London. He was increasingly more protective of Flora to the point where he could hardly let her leave the house without Clive or Katarina with her. The three of them were the only ones at home anymore. Emmy had left a few months ago to be with her family and make sure they were safe.

He hadn't received so much as a simple email or phone call from her. The professor did hope for her safety.

Luke wasn't much better when it came to contacting him, but at least he was safe overseas. It seemed like the whole world had turned their back on Britain and pretended like it wasn't happening. As far as Layton knew, the government was probably the ones who were telling them to look the other way. He didn't bother sending a letter to his former apprentice explaining the situation. He'd heard horror stories about people who tried to the same.

There was a distinct emptiness in his home now. The power went out regularly. The blinds constantly remained closed. No longer were his halls filled with laughter and music. It was depressing and it came to the point where Flora refused to cook, Katarina's radio was always tuned to the news instead of her favorite music and Clive hardly left his room. The professor had even grown to lose his love for puzzles.

He sighed, picking up the paperwork and shoved it under his desk where he wouldn't have to look at it anymore. He lifted his hat off his head, gazing at it with sad, tired eyes.

"I miss you, Claire." His usual calm and patient voice was degraded into a shaky, longing whisper.

Screams came from outside as shots were fired. Startled, Layton put his hat back on and rushed out to the hallway. The few students still around were cowering away from the entrances, running into the library. Not here too. Layton thought as he rushed out to the entrance.

Flames illuminated the inky sky. A mob was gathered outside, setting fire to bushes and pushing back anyone who dare got in the way. An explosion burst through the street, sending rubble everywhere as a line of vehicles, thankfully unoccupied, ignited into ferocious flames.

"This is madness!"