Just in case anyone is wondering, I do not own these characters, or the plot references from Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask. In other words, I own nothing.
Chapter 1: A Lovely Way to End the Evening
It had been a long day to say the least. The city of Monte d'Or was now safe. All of the people had returned, despite the few occasional tremors that resulted from the raising of the city. This would surely be the day that almost everyone in the city of Monte d'Or would remember. This would be the day that everyone learned that the foundation of Monte d'Or consisted of loyalty and friendship.
Back at the Ledore Mansion, everyone was sitting about having tea. Alphonse Dalston was recounting a funny tale from his youth. Next to him, Emmy Altalva, the feisty assistant to Professor Layton, sat having a good laugh. Angela Ledore, a co-founder of the city of Monte d'Or, sat next to Emmy, sharing in the laughs. Henry Ledore, Angela's childhood friend and fake husband, stood next to her pouring some tea. The young Luke Triton, the self-proclaimed apprentice to Professor Layton, sat at the end, equally enthralled in the story as his adult companions. Standing in the corner of the room, Randall Ascot, the man behind the so called 'Masked Gentleman' and the presumed to be lost friend of Henry, Angela, Alphonse, stood speaking with none other than his former best friend, Professor Hershel Layton.
The pair stood examining one of the many artifacts that Henry had discovered in the ruins of Akbadain, in a chamber that Hershel and Randall had discovered nearly eighteen years prior.
"Would you look at the glyphs on this? Henry, what do you make of this piece," said Randall, turning to face Henry.
"It appears to me to be some sort of coded map, Master Randall," replied Henry.
"Another one…hmm…strange. First the wall of Norwell, and now this," asked Hershel.
"If that's the case, then we have a lot of work to do tonight, my friends," piped Randall as he turned to Henry and Hershel.
"Oh Randall, after the day that we've all had, don't you think you should rest? I'm sure Henry and Hershel want to rest as well," said Angela, gearing the conversation so that everyone in the room now looked to Randall.
"Nonsense, of course they want to help. After all, they discovered the secrets of the ruins of Akbadain. What do you say, gentleman? Are you up to the task," asked Randall.
"It would appear that we don't have much of a choice. True gentlemen never leave puzzles unsolved. Isn't that right, Luke,:" stated the professor, turning towards his apprentice.
"Right, professor," chimed Luke.
"If it would please Master Randall, then I would be obliged to help," spoke Henry in his usual soft-spoken manner.
"Then it's settled. Gentleman, prepare to rack your brains for the challenge of decoding this new map," spoke Randall as he turned to take a sip from his now half-warm tea.
"Well, you three may stay up, but I am going to sleep for tonight. It has been an exhausting day," spoke Angela.
"Emmy, Luke, Alphonse—you are all welcome to stay the night if you wish. We have plenty of room here," she said as she turned back to her guests.
"Much obliged Angela, but I believe I shall take my leave for the night. I'll return tomorrow, if you would like," Alphonse said as he got up to depart.
"Of course we want you to return," Randall announced. "We're going on an adventure tomorrow!"
"Randall, do you ever stop to think that maybe you have had enough adventures for the time being," asked Hershel.
"Of course not! There's always an adventure to be had! There are always puzzles to be solved. Honestly Hershel, has being a professor made you forget your sense of adventure," chided Randall in response to his friend's question.
"It most certainly has not. I just choose my adventures more carefully," responded Layton.
"Well, while you two have it out, I am going to politely take my leave. Thank you again, Layton, for all your help. Thank you too, Luke and Emmy," offered Dalston as he headed for the door.
"Anytime Mr. Dalston," chimed Luke. "A gentleman always helps a friend in need!"
Alphonse exchanged a firm handshake with the aspiring gentleman Luke as the others wished him a good night. Angela took Emmy and Luke to their rooms, as it was late and a long walk across the city to the Dromedary Hotel would certainly not be in their best interests. After exchanging their good nights, Randall, Henry, and Hershel were left alone in the room.
"Alright gentleman, our first order of business is to gather every one of my notes on the Azran. Henry, where are they," asked Randall.
"They are in my office at the Reunion Inn, Master Randall. I shall make arrangements to head over there, if you would like," spoke Henry.
"That would be excellent! Isn't this exciting, Hershel," asked Randall, turning to his best friend.
"We may now finally be able to decipher the meaning of the true treasure of the Azran."
"Indeed. It would appear as though a re-examination of the artifacts may shed some light on the Azran civilization," responded Hershel.
"The carriage is here to take us to the tram, Master Randall. Hershel. We may depart whenever you both are ready to go," said Henry.
"Then by all means, let the adventure begin," quipped Randall.
"Oh, and Henry—," Randall continued, "you don't need to keep calling me 'Master'. You're like my brother. There's no need for such formalities amongst brothers," he said smiling as he placed his hand on Henry's shoulder, just as Henry had done earlier to him.
"Very well Mast—Randall. If that is what you wish," responded Henry. Secretly, he was touched by what Randall had said to him. It reassured him that his friendship with Randall was so strong that it would never be broken.
"Of course! Really Henry, you sound like my butler again," said Randall as the pair walked out to the carriage, where Hershel was waiting.
"Well, it was a life that I was most accustomed to when I last saw you," responded Henry with a smile on his face.
They soon climbed into the carriage and headed north to the racetrack, the location of the nearest stop for the Monte d'Or tram. They got off at the gates and proceeded to take the tram to the Reunion Inn, which resembled a rather large castle structure. While the inn had grown to take on this grand persona, it still had a cozy feel about it. It was the most popular hotel in Monte d'Or and it was all thanks to Henry. This fact had not escaped Randall's mind, and he truly intended to thank Henry again for all that he had done, once his work was complete.