Girly notes: So this is a novelization of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (or Lost Future, depends if you're English, but I'm American, so I'm playing Unwound Future). I tried to continue my novelization of Mystery Room, but my app keeps crashing since IOS 7.0. I LOVE IOS 7.0, but wish I could still play Mystery Room... Oh, well, nowt ta do about it now. (Did you get that joke? No? Bad joke.)
Okay, I'm not really sure what this is, it's like the Pro-Prologue (because the official prologue comes next). And it also doesn't have it's own title, so I'm just calling it the Pro-Prologue. It just comes before the Prologue in the game, and just...begins immediately.
Enjoy! -girlycathy
Professor Hershel Layton was sitting on a red, double-decker bus with his apprentice, Luke Triton. He was wearing his usual orange shirt, black, high-collared overcoat with black pants, and his black top hat with a red stripe. Luke was dressed in a blue sweater and blue cap, and a white shirt and brown shorts. He was holding a slightly crumpled piece of paper with ink scrawled across.
"It just doesn't seem to add up, Professor."
"I honestly thought you were pulling my leg."
"What? I wouldn't dream of it!" He carefully reread the page in his hands, concentrating on every word.
Professor,
I hope this letter finds you well. As for me, I am in quite a predicament. You see, the London we know and love has been thrown into absolute chaos. To complicate matters, the calamity I speak of does not take place in your time. This may be difficult to believe, but I am writing to you from 10 years in the future. I know this is a lot to take in, but I'll explain it all soon. For now, I ask that you head to the clock shop on Midland Road in Baldwin. I look forward to seeing you again.
Your student, Luke Triton
"Strange as it sounds, it seems that the author of this letter is none other than your future self, Luke."
"From...my future self? But how is that even possible?"
"I don't know. But it does raise the question: if this letter is indeed authenitc, how did it get here?"
"Um... By time-traveling postman? Just joking, of course! But on a more serious note, I think this mystery might be the oddest one we've ever encountered!"
"Indeed. And even in the future, you seem to need my help in solving it. Your constancy can be quite a comfort in these uncertain times."
"Er... Well, thank you, I suppose. But back to the main question. How do we know the letter is real?"
"Hmm. Well, we haven't much to go on yet. But I can't help but think that this strange occurrance is connected to the terrible events of last week."
"Hmm..."
*This may be boring, but it's important.*
It all started about a week ago. Hershel and Luke were sitting at a one of many small tables evenly spaced. Many people were spread across the tables, some of them familiar, others not. A huge pod-shaped machine stood on the podium, a huge clock above the round pod, and pipes led from the inside above, with a few small meters above the clock, a few recording machines filled with levers and buttons next to it. A scientist stood at the podium and wore a white lab coat, black collared shirt, and red tie, and his long, wavy, barely-brown, gray hair hung in front of half of his pale face, the rest in a ponytail. He had a mustache and small beard, his cheekbones prominent on his thin face, and could see one of his tired blue eyes as he explained his newest invention.
"Using a six-dimension alpha distributor, I was able to guide a concentrated stream of Hamanier particles through a temporal vortex, more commonly known as a wormhole. This stream of particles allowed me to divine the terminal points of the vortex. Armed with this information, the next step was to artificially distort the flow of time and generate a massive magnetic field via a Soolha Coil. Once the magnetic field is firmly established, one has the ability to quite literally punch holes, or Hivegaps, into the very fabric of space-time." The machine hissed and shook a bit as it sat on the stage. The audience continued to eat and listen to the scientist, occasionally chatting amongst themselves. "After this crucial step, it is simply a matter of constructing an energy gate to..."
As the scientist continued, Detective Constable Barton sat at a table with Inspector Chelmey. "Quite the, ah, spread we have here, Inspector," he said, his mouth full of food. "Though it does make me wonder what we did to deserve invitations to such a feast."
"It's obvious, Barton. I'm an influential man in the world of law enforcement. It's only natural I'd be invited to an important event such as this."
"I suppose that's possible," he replied uncertainly.
"Possible, you say?"
"Erm, probable! Highly probable, sir!"
At another table near the front, the Prime Minister sat with his wife. "This food is simply dreadful, Bill. Do get this over with quickly so we can leave."
The Prime Minister replied with a sigh, "...Yes, dear."
At yet another table, Luke sat with his mentor. "I have to say, I feel a bit out of place here, Professor."
"That's quite understandable, Luke," he replied. "I'm sure most people would feel the same way in the presence of the Prime Minister."
"Hey, look! I think I see Inspector Chelmey over there!"
"Hmm..."
"So, Professor, what do you think about this whole event? Do you believe that someone has really built a working time machine?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Still, if it does prove to be true, can you imagine the stir it will cause in the scientific community?"
"Well I for one am very excited. Though you don't sound entirely convinced, Professor."
"Anything's possible, Luke. But I won't be convinced until I've seen this contraption work myself. And I must confess, something about this entire presentation seems a bit...off."
"Why do you say that? Ah, of course. That must be your famous intuition talking, huh?"
"That's one way of putting it. But enough speculation. Look over there, Luke," he finished, gesturing past the time machine towards a guard.
"That guard? What about him?"
"He seems to be looking for a man who snuck into the event uninvited."
"Ooh, so we have an intruder in our midst!" Luke concluded eagerly. The pair stood up and walked over to the guard dressed in all red.
"Oh, dear. This is NOT going to go over well..." he said to himself.
"You look troubled, sir. Might we be of any assistance?" Hershel asked.
"Oh, yes, please!" the guard instantly rid himself of his upset. "You see, I've just received a report of some untoward behavior..." He took out a small sheet of paper, with clues as to the intruder's location, and a map of each table in the setting.
*Puzzle 001*
Luke quickly solved the puzzle, congratulated with his mentor saying, "Splendid work, my boy!"
"Whew! Thanks so much! That fellow' smooching days are over!" the guard thanked them.
"Did you see that, Professor? I just aided in the apprehension of a suspect! Oh, look-the presentation is about to begin. Let's get back to our seats." The pair walked back and sat down as the presenter walked up to the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he called into the microphone with a deep, rich voice. "Thank you for taking part in an event that will undoubtedly go down in scientific history! And here to demonstrate mankind's first time machine is its creator, Dr. Alain Stahngun!" The scientist that had been explaining the machine at the beginning of the presentation returned to the podium.
"Thank you, my esteemed colleagues," he began, pauses between words. "After years of research in the field of time travel, I am pleased to share the fruits of my labor. In just a few short moments, I will be moving on to our scheduled demonstration. But first, I am delighted to announce that Prime Minister Bill Hawks is in attendance today. As such, I have reserved a very special seat for our very special guest." The way he spoke drew in the audience to listen carefully, pausing between words and phrases often. "Please join me onstage, Prime Minister. No need to be shy!"
The Prime Minister slowly ascended the steps up to the stage, before asking, "Is this thing real?"
"What do you mean?" Dr. Stahngun answered with a slight laugh.
"I mean is this contraption a genuine, working time machine?"
"Why don't you have a seat and see for yourself?"
The presenter spoke up again, his rich voice echoing around the audience, even outdoors, "Before we start, would you honor us with a few words, Prime Minister?"
The Prime Minister stepped up to the podium, his deeper voice booming, "Good afternoon, everyone! Today is a monumental day not only for our great nation, but for the entire human race. Since the beginning of time, we humans have strived to transcend our natural limits. We have conquered the skies and the seas, and we have even traveled to outer space. But the one frontier that has always eluded us is time. Indeed, traveling through time was a dream many thought was out of reach for humanity. Until now. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you will join me in ushering in a new era for mankind!"
"Thank you for those words, Prime Minister," the presenter replied as the Prime Minister stepped away from the podium. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Please take it away, Dr. Stahngun!"
"I have just one more request before we start," the scientist spoke up before Bill Hawks could return to his seat. "I'd very much appreciate the Prime Minister's assistance in this demonstration. What do you say, Mr. Hawks?"
"Wh-what?!"
"I assure you, there's no cause for concern."
"But I was under the impression that I would merely be observing the proceedings."
"Ah, well, do forgive my presumption. It was never my wish to make you uncomfortable. I realise it's been some time since you traded in the hard sciences for the...softer variety. Please feel free to return to your seat, Prime Minister." There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Wait! What I mean to say is, of course I can assist you."
Bill's wife Caroline then spoke up with her high voice barely above a frantic whisper. "Bill! Have you lost your mind?!"
"Ah, that's the courage we've come to expect from our fearless leader. You have my thanks. And now, without further ado, I give you my time machine! Mr. Hawks, would you mind just stepping inside?"
Three panels making up half the wall of the round pod opened up, with stairs to walk inside. There were five lights on the inner roof of the pod. The Prime Minister stepped up and inside, and the machines sprayed out strings of paper as the doors closed and tightened around Bill, and Dr. Stahngun switched one of the levers, making the dials on top of the time machine come to life, the meters flying back and forth. Steam began to pour out of the pipes on top and electricity buzzed around the pod, making everyone gasp as steam poured through every crack in the metal and the machine shook tremendously. Inside, steam was everywhere, hitting the Prime Minister at every angle. Finally, the metal could take no more, and exploded into pieces, flying everywhere. Everyone stood up, frantic.
"What the dickens just happened?" Inspector Chelmey shouted just as the giant clock landed on a nearby fountain, smashing it to bits.
"Something's gone very wrong!" Hershel called. When the steam disappated, all that was left was the stage with remnants of the machine scattered around everywhere.
"Oh! Where is he?" Caroline screamed. "Someone find Bill!" Then she fainted, landing on the cement.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please remain calm and refrain from panicking!" the announcer called into his microphone.
"This is chaos!" Luke shouted, pointing at the stage. "The prime minister and Dr. Stahngun have vanished!"
"My word..." the Professor whispered to himself.
Within the next few days, newspapers came out, titled, "Time-Machine Demonstration Goes Awry!"
"So you think that what happened last week is somehow connected to this letter," Luke clarified. "Wait! Maybe if the time machine was real, this letter is real too!"
"I don't know about that, but these two elements aren't the only puzzling issues. Tell me, Luke-have you heard about the recent disappearances occurring here in London?"
"Oh, yes," he answered. "I read about it in the paper. Some of London's greatest scientists have been mysteriously vanishing."
"Yes, and I can't shake the feeling that those disappearances are linked to this whole affair. In any case, it seems our best course of action is to head to the location mentioned in the letter."
"Good idea!" The bus pulled to a stop, and the pair stepped off. Following the clue in the letter, the professor and I set off. What awaited us was one of the biggest mysteries we'd ever encountered.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
To my dear friend, Diane,
Somehow a single letter had made its way back through time. And the sender, strange as it sounds, was me! The future me, that is. Little did we know that this letter would draw us into the strangest of situations...
How're you liking the story so far? I mean, I know I don't get any say in it...but still.
I'm working on the next chapter, it's probably about halfway through or something...
And if you read it before this note was here, I changed a few thing, but not very important. Just added or changed a couple words.
And the ending parts in italics...I'm not really sure what to make of them, or how I should've added them... They're just from Luke's point of view (if you hadn't already guessed) and it's as if this is a story he's telling (sort of like Lucy and the Mystery Room cases-COINCIDENCE?).
Mwah! -girlycathy