I thought I'd start a new story for the Holidays! X3 Hope you like this one!

BTW I made Clive just 18 (by like a few months or something) so...

Disclaimer: I definitely do NOT own Professor Layton, Just my characters

Professor Layton

And The City Of Wonders

Chapter 1 ~ The Letter

The Professor sat down, up straight, on his deep red sofa with a cup of piping hot tea, Luke was outside collecting the post that arrived every morning at 9:21 am, Luke had recently asked his parents if he could return to London and carry on being The Professors No. 1 Apprentice, and his father, Clark Triton, accepted, and Luke returned to London to see the Professors smiling face greeting him once again, Luke was now living with the Professor in his house, his house was rather large, it had five bedrooms, two spare rooms, Flora's room, Luke's room, and Professor Layton's room.

Luke opened the post box and collected the letters from inside

"Right, The Professor, the Professor, Me, the Professor..." he listed the letters owners, he saw his breath rise in the cold morning air, most of the letters in the morning were for the Professor, but one letter looked a lot less formal than the others "Oh? What's this?" He opened the letter's seal, then took out the letter and unfolded it, it read;

'Dear Professor Layton

I have heard that you teach at the Gressenheller University, and that you are a brilliant Archaeologist, and I am sorry if I am causing any inconvience, but I was hoping that you would be taking on any more apprentices, and that I may be allowed a position as one of your apprentices? If it is ok with you, may I please visit you on Thursday the 22nd in your office? I will be waiting for your reply

Yours Sincerely

Ebony Spice

"Ebony Spice? Better tell the Professor" Luke rushed into the Gressenheller University, he flew up the stairs and down the hallway, looking for the door which had the top hat on it, it was second to the right as he entered the hallway, he knocked on the door and pushed it open "Professor!" Luke shouted too quickly that made the Professor choke on his tea, he put the tea down quickly and looked at the panting Luke

"Now Luke, what's ever the matter?" The Professor asked while putting down his saucer

"Um, there's a requested in the post Professor" Luke said after gathering some air "A girl named Ebony Spice wishes to become, your apprentice" The Professor looked intrigued at Luke's announcement "She sent a letter saying that if it was alright with you, that she will visit you on the 22nd" Luke finished, handing the Professor the letter, he read through the letter thoroughly

"Oh? So this Ebony wants to become my apprentice?" Layton asked out loud to himself "Well, I don't see why not, but the interview will have to be better than the others I have had recently" The Professor said to Luke

"Erm, Professor, if Ebony does start being your apprentice, that might mean she has nowhere to live" Luke suggested

"We don't know that yet Luke, but if it comes to it, we can surely sort something out for a lady, after all, that's what a gentlemen does" he winked at Luke and touched the rim of his hat

"Of course Professor" Luke smiled and sat down next to the Professor "So Professor, Where's Flora?"

"Ah, well she's at the corner shop buying some ingredients for our... Dinner tonight" Luke's faced changed from content to disgusted Oh great... as much as I like Flora, she can't cook to save her life!

"Umm Professor, you know we might be wanting a different dinner afterwards" Luke suggested

"I know, though something tells me we won't be having dinner for three this evening" Luke looked at the Professor puzzled

"Is that your famous intuition Professor?" Luke said smiling

"Perhaps, or perhaps it's my intuition to look out a window" The Professor smiled jokingly, Luke walked across the office and looked out of the window, a girl was rushing across the street, holding her shoulder bag with her hands, she wore a longish dark grey coat, with shorts and boots, she also wore skin coloured tights, her hair was dark brown, and Luke saw a small glint of brown in her eyes, she looked both ways and crossed the road, she ran down the pavement and made her way to the Gressenheller University "You do realise that today is Thursday the 22nd?" The Professor asked

"What?" Luke turned around confused That means...

~~ Ebony's P.O.V ~~

I looked up at the Gressenheller University, I took a deep breath and walked inside, pushing open the doors, I walked past the reception desk and up the stairs to the left of me, I looked at the four doors in the hallway, one had a coffee cup on it, the one next to it had a top hat on the door That must be it, I hope I'm not imposing I took a deep breath, then knocked on the door, I lowered my hand down to the handle and clenched it, pushing open the door, I peered around the door to see a Professor Layton sitting on the sofa looking at me, and a young boy about the age of 14, turning around to face me

"Ah, Ebony, excuse me for the late reply, you see, I only received your letter not ten minutes ago" The professor smiled at me, he stood up and held out a hand for me to shake in greeting, I walked into the room and shook his hand

"Oh forgive me Professor, I forgot that the post works differently where I live" I smiled in apology, i glanced over to the boy "Oh, and who's this?" I asked

"I'm the Professor's number 1 apprentice, Luke Triton" Luke introduced himself Oh no! The place has already been filled! Keep cool, keep cool...

"Hello Luke, Pleasure to meet you" I smiled and held out my hand like the Professor did to me, Luke hesitated and looked at me, but then shook my hand, once we had finished our greetings I turned to the Professor "So, I guess I was a bit too late" I smiled, a pain twinged in my stomach, but I smiled out of politeness

"Oh no Ebony, I am willing to take on another apprentice, but I needed to interview the candidates, and if you wish, you can have the interview now?" The Professor asked Yes! There's still a chance! A smile spread across my face

"Oh yes! I would love too!" I said excitedly, but still trying to stay calm

"Ok then, to start off, would you mind solving this puzzle?" The Professor put his hand in his pocket, then pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me

"Oh? Ok then, I'll try" I smiled then examined the piece of paper, there were five pictures of jewellery on the piece of paper, a note was on the top

This piece of jewellery has:

Another material attached to it

The gem has more than five sides

Gold on the gemstone

And holds the Heart and Promises

Find the piece of Jewellery

There was a green diamond in the middle, it was a broach, then there was two sky blue, rain drop shaped earrings in the top right corner, Then there was an octagonal red gem necklace in the bottom left corner, there was a Heart shaped, deep red necklace in the top left corner, and finally in the bottom right corner there was a ring with a white diamond in it Ok, so let's rule out the sides, the one in the middle has four so knock that one out, then the material, that could be the necklace or the ring, so knock out the earrings, they all have gold so that tip doesn't really help, now 'Holds the Heart and Promises'... the octagonal shape has nothing relevant so knock that out, now the heart shaped necklace and the ring... it must be!

"I believe it's that one, the ring" I pointed to the ring, the Professor smiled

"Oh? And why is that?" he asked

"Heart and Promises are made at weddings, and that ring is a wedding ring, I was using the rule of elimination, the ring can mean promises because no other jewellery has any relevance with promises, although the heart shaped necklace could mean the heart, the promises doesn't fit in with the necklace, that's my reasoning" I explained myself as easily as I could

"Well done, that is the correct answer" The Professor sat down, I copied and sat down next to him, Luke sat down in the chair opposite the desk "My, my, you have an eye for solving puzzles I can see"

"Well, I do solve puzzles whenever I see one, or in my past time" I smiled

"So, how would you describe yourself?" The Professor asked me

"Well, where to start, um, I'm hard working, I'm observational, I'm quite smart with numbers and such, I'd say I'm polite, but sometimes sarcastic" I paused Oh well, better say the truth "I tend to read people's feelings, I'd say I'm very helpful when someone- or something- needs assistance, I'm one to read fantasy stories, and mystery books in my spare time, I also love drawing in my notebook, and writing on my laptop" I undid my bag and pulled out my portable laptop and my actual notebook "I think that is about it Professor Layton" I put my objects back into my bag and locked it again

"Very well, you seem like a charming young lady" The Professor smiled at me Maybe for once I've done something good!

"Excuse me to interrupt but how old are you exactly?" Luke asked from across the room

"Now Luke, a gentleman never asks a lady her age" The professor gave out his advice to his apprentice

"Oh, sorry Professor, I was just enquiring" Luke said awkwardly

"Me? Oh no that's perfectly alright, I'm seventeen in a month's time, so at the moment I'm sixteen" I explained to the fourteen year old

"Oh, Ok thanks" Luke said, he got out his notebook and started writing things down

"Now, Miss Spice, what do you wish to gain from becoming my apprentice?" The Professor turned to face me Oh, I... erm...

"Well, I personally wish to excel in my mental power and to become more ladylike than my present state, really, I want to improve on my skills as well as my manners" I said, trying to explain my reasons, the Professor nodded and smiled as he listened to my explanation "So Professor, anything else you wish to ask?" I asked

"No, I'm very happy with our interview" He smiled

"Oh really? So, when will you get back to me about maybe becoming your apprentice?" I asked curiously Probably... next month? Maybe not at all if I've failed the interview, Oh No! Maybe he says that he enjoyed the interview to ALL of the candidates!