A/N: Okay, here's the next story! For my usual readers, this one happens ten years previous to "The Venrin Band," and right after "The Golden Turnabout." For my new readers, you don't have to read either of those stories to understand this one. This is a few months after "Unwound Future" though, and contains spoilers to all games, including "Layton Brothers."

Alfendi is 4 (though with a much more advanced mind for his age), Flora is 14, and Layton is 37.

Miracle Mask was my favorite Layton game… With Unwound Future right up there (Probably because both reveal the most about Layton himself).

I was going to write this from Layton's POV… then decided against it.

…

Chapter One: Monte d'Or Once More

The city of Monte d'Or was brightly lit in neon, a parade making its way down the street to the delight of many spectators.

"Wow! So this is Monte d'Or!?" a young woman, Flora Reinhold, gasped from next to her guardian and companion, her wide eyes taking everything in.

Professor Hershel Layton smiled warmly at her, feeling a vague sense of déjà vu. "Indeed. In only twenty years, this little desert oasis has grown into quite a tourist attraction," he explained, adjusting his ever present top hat with a smile on his face, remembering his last investigation in this city. "Amazing, don't you think? Some people even call it the City of Miracles." he said. Flora looked up at him before noticing all of the balloons being released into the air.

"The City of Miracles…" she breathed, following the professor as he began to walk again. Her eyes, again, were caught by the colorful playfulness of the parade and the city.

"There's so much to look at here, Professor!" she exclaimed. The professor smiled, looking over at her.

"Yes. Monte d'Or is quite an exciting town," he agreed. Flora's face turned thoughtful as she pulled a piece of paper from her bag, slowing to a halt, forcing the professor to do the same so they wouldn't be separated.

"The letter you received said some terrible things happened here. That's hard to believe…" she mused, studying the letter. The professor cupped his chin in thought, though he knew it was easier to believe if one knew the history of the city.

"We'll have a better understanding of the situation after we speak to Angela," he said, the déjà vu feeling even stronger.

"Do you know where her estate is?" Flora asked. The professor smiled warmly.

"Yes. We should be able to see it just past this street," he told her, motioning in the direction he meant. Flora nodded, following the professor as he began to move once more.

"This town is like one big amusement park!" Flora sighed.

"It certainly is lively," the professor agreed with a warm smile.

"I know what you and Luke have told me, about the last time you were here, but how could anything bad happen in a place so bright and colorful, Professor?" she asked.

"Never judge a book by its cover, Flora," the professor said seriously. "Only a thorough analysis will reveal a thorough conclusion."

"Of course, Professor," Flora said, before clasping her hands together excitedly. "Let's begin right away!"

"Of course, my dear! Bur Monte d'Or is large and very crowded, especially around this time of year. Be sure to stick close to me, so that we won't become separated," he warned. Flora paled slightly at the thought and nodded, moving closer to her guardian.

After weaving around more people, Flora gasped, looking up. "Whoa… Professor, look at that clown!" she cried, pointing to a large parade balloon being guided by many clowns clinging to its support ropes. Even more balloons were released, and Flora let out an excited squeal, getting caught up in the moment.

"This is wonderful! Everyone is having a good time, Professor!" she said, skipping forward as they two began to walk again.

"They are," the professor agreed. "And I'm looking forward to doing the same… after our investigation," he added as a gentle reminded to the young girl.

Almost instantly, her skipping calmed to a walk.

"Oh, right… the investigation…" she mumbled.

"Once we're able to relax, I can show you what the town has to offer," the professor promised. Just then screams erupted from the direction they had just come. Everyone turned that way, before surging towards the source.

The professor quickly caught Flora's hand too keep them from getting separated, and pulled her out of the way of the crowd.

"The people! They're floating" someone yelled.

"Floating?" the professor asked softly, before frowning and running forward. "Quickly!" he called back to Flora, who made sure to stick close to him.

People were, indeed floating. Some looked as though they were swimming in midair, others were playfully pushing each other around. Most of the spectators stayed on the ground, watching those above them in awe. The professor slowed to a halt, looking around in confusion. "What on earth is going on here?" he mused in confusion.

"Professor!" Flora suddenly gasped, pointing towards the roof of a building. "Look up there!"

"What on earth…?" the professor asked, confusion rolling through him. Sure enough, there stood the last person he ever expected to see again.

"One, two, three four… Did you miss me, Monte d'Or?"

It was just like before, cloak and cane included. The only thing missing were the statues in the streets.

And… the fear…

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! I hope you enjoyed tonight's light miracle, courtesy of the Masked Gentleman!"

"Light miracle? Randall?" the Professor mused in confusion. A light wind blew the platinum blond hair of his wig as the masked face stared down at them all.

"Consider what you have seen tonight as just the beginning. Monte d'Or will soon see the show of a lifetime. Those who submit to the power of the mask may be submerged into a world of magic and mystery… but then again, they may be not." At this, the Masked Gentleman collapsed his cane, and his cloak became a pair of snowy white wings. Calmly, he jumped off the roof, dove down, and over the heads of the still grounded spectators. Those in the air drifted gently to the ground, and everyone watched after the masked man as he flew over the city. The professor quickly looked around before spotting a horse.

"Come now, Flora, quickly!" he said, running over and pulling himself into the saddle. He then reached down and pulled Flora up, allowing her to get situated behind him, before snapping the reigns. "Yah!" he yelled, and the horse took off after the Masked Gentleman.

Flora clung to the professor as he urged the horse faster through the streets, pursuing the Masked Gentleman, who flew lazily ahead, doing summersaults every now and again. Eventually, he threw two smoke bombs at the two. Unlike last time, the professor urged his horse through it, only to come out with the same result as before.

The Masked Gentleman was gone. The only sign that he'd ever been there was his white cloak, drifting lazily to the ground. Professor Layton sighed, stopping the horse and dismounting before turning to help Flora down.

"He got away!" Flora gasped in surprise once her feet were on the ground.

"Yes, he had quite an advantage over us. Just like last time," the professor said, crossing his arms.

"Was he using some sort of magic, Professor? How did he do all that?" Flora asked, looking up at her guardian. The professor shook his head with a patient smile.

"Of course not, Flora. Each trick you saw was just that – a trick," he explained, before frowning. "Although, I do not understand why he has become the Masked Gentleman once more…" he sighed. Flora looked up at her guardian, who shrugged.

"Come, Flora. Let's find Ascot Estate. I am sure my questions will find answers there," he said. The two walked through the city of Monte d'Or until they reached the center and the highest peak of the city, where the Akbadain monument stood. Just behind it was a large house, looking much like a mansion, surrounded by a fence.

"Ascot Estate?" Flora asked, only to get a nod from the professor as he walked forward, knocking on the door. A moment later, a tall man, about the same height as the professor, with red hair and glasses, answered the door. Flora gasped when noticing that he was wearing the same white suit as the Masked Gentleman.

"Hershel!" he said in delight, grabbing the professor's hands and pulling him in.

"Randall. I knew that was you beneath the mask," the professor said. Randall Ascot grinned warmly at his old friend.

"I knew you knew when you gave chase!" he countered, drawing him further into the house. Flora followed after, confused.

"Why, Randall? I thought the days of the Masked Gentleman were behind you," the professor asked.

"Because the people of Monte d'Or wanted the thrill and excitement that only the Masked Gentleman could bring them!" Randall said with a grin. "But don't worry, Hershel, no more Dark Miracles. My shows bring awe and excitement to the people, but I don't hurt – or make it seem like I hurt – people anymore," Randall explained. Layton shook his head.

"I never thought that, Randall." He sighed. "You just can't drop that dramatic flare, can you?"

"Of course not, old friend!" he replied, before looking between Layton and Flora. "So, who is this?"

"Ah, excuse my rudeness. Randall, this is my charge and assistant, Flora Reinhold. Flora, this is my old, childhood friend, Randall Ascot,' he said. Flora smiled warmly, shaking the man's hand.

"It's nice to meet you!" she said.

"The pleasure is all mine," he replied, before looking between the two. "So, to what do I owe this unexpected, but welcome visit?" he asked, leading the two into the parlor.

"Angela, actually," Layton said as Flora produced the letter. "She asked me to come. Flora, my dear, do you mind reading it out loud?"

"Of course, Professor," she said before clearing her throat.

"'DeaR Hershel,

How hAve you beeN? Things have calmeD down here in Monte d'Or. Or At Least, it did.

RecentLy, there has been a strIng of murderS, all unsolved, but somehow CONNECTED. I'm scared and I need your help. I fear for Monte d'Or, especially with the carnival coming up.

Henry and Randall are worried as well, and They have been wOrking around the clock wiTH ChIef Sheffield and the police in an effort to solve this latest puzzle but it's not enough. We need you, Hershel.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Love,

Angela Ascot.'"

"Oh, Angela," Randall sighed softly. "It's true though. I fear there is a serial killer on the loose in Monte d'Or," he admitted, sitting forward as he loosened his purple cravat. The professor put a hand to his chin.

"I found Angela's second message to be much more intriguing," he admitted. Randall looked up at him.

"Her second message?"

"Yes. Why don't you see if you can find it, Randall?" he asked with a smile, remembering a time when the tables were turned, and Randall was constantly giving him the puzzles. Flora handed Angela's letter over, and Randall studied it. His eyes flickered over the words, noticing the odd pattern of capitalized and darker letters.

Suddenly, he saw the hidden message.

"Wha?" he gasped.

"'Randall is connected with this.'" The professor quoted, before studying his friend. "Was that what you found?"

"Y-yes, but…

"Randall… what is going on here?" Layton asked, looking at his old friend. Randall sighed, shaking his head.

"I… can't say."

…

A/N: And thus the ending of the first chapter! Yes, the beginning of this was supposed to mirror the beginning of "Miracle Mask." The reason Randall didn't know Flora was because his and Angela's wedding happened BEFORE Curious Village, and with everything else going on with Layton (Curious Village to Unwound Future, plus the mystery he and Luke solved in the beginning of Eternal Diva including Big Ben), he hadn't really had time to visit Monte d'Or once Flora entered the picture.

Don't worry, Alfendi will enter the picture in chapter two!

And what on earth can Randall be hiding?