Alfred F. Jones stuck his head out of the train window, taking in the countryside as the wind whipped past him, whistling in his ears and messing up his hair. Just as he sucked in a large breathful of air, however, he was yanked back inside the compartment.

"Ow!" He cried, landing hard on his behind. "What was that for, Professor?!" he whined, glancing up at his tall British mentor, who straightened his top hat and started to scold him.

"Alfred, m'boy, how many times have I told you? A gentleman must always mind his manners, no matter what the situation!" He sighed, and once again read over the letter that had arrived merely days ago.

Dear Professor Arthur…

I have heard that you are well-known for your knack of solving puzzles and

Mysteries and I wish to inform you that our quaint town of St. Mystere has quite the puzzle on its hands. If you wish to know more, you may find me at the Bonnefoy Mansion in the heart of St. Mystere. A map has been attached to this letter, along with a skeleton key. My regards to your apprentice,

Francis Bonnefoy

And of course, Arthur had never been one to deny a good mystery. As always, his self-proclaimed apprentice had insisted on tagging along, and so here they were, on their way to a strange town, about to visit a strange man who, for all they knew, could be an assassin out to murder them.

"Professor! I'm bo-red!" Alfred whined, bringing the other back to reality.

"Well then, how about a puzzle to get you thinking? What is the last letter of the alphabet?"

The boy blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Are you kidding? That's not even a puzzle! The last letter's 'z'!" He exclaimed, but Arthur just shook his head.

"That's not it. Think harder, m'boy." It was so simple, and yet it took Alfred a few minutes before he figured it out.

"Oh!! I think I've got it!!" He proclaimed his voice full of enthusiasm, as it always was when he solved a puzzle. "It's 't', isn't it? Because alphabet is spelled a-l-p-h-a-b-e-t and the last letter is t!!"

The Professor nodded, satisfied. "Critical thinking is the key to success! Remember this, and you'll never be caught unprepared!"

****

I love Hetalia and I love Professor Layton! I just got the sequel today, so I just had to write this. I may or may not continue it; it all depends on whether or not you REVIEW!!!

Every time someone doesn't review poor little Latvia gets shorter!! Have mercy!!!!

Disclaimer: I never have and never will own Axis Powers Hetalia or any of its characters! I don't own Professor Layton or any of the puzzles, either!