What's up, everybody? Yoshi-G is back with another fanfic (I did say before that I would have another one up soon)!
Anyway, this one is based on one of two theories I have regarding Alfendi, and where he came from (which I will elaborate on in the end notes, and further in the next chapter).
With that all out of the way: Enjoy! c:
-Chapter One: The Abandoned Shoes-
It was bound to be a day the Professor would never forget. The events of his unexpected adventure all began on a Friday, a few hours after arriving at Gressenheller University. His morning lecture came and went as it usually did, on the topic of ancient civilizations, and how they went about doing things in their time compared to today's world. Once the lecture had reached its conclusion around noon, he packed his trunk and made his way out with the intention of picking up his foster daughter, Flora, to take her out for lunch. However, when he got to the front of the main building...
"Flora?" Hershel blinked, as he called out to her, surprised to see the teenage girl already there. For some reason, she was crouching down, but stood upon hearing her name.
"Oh, Professor! Hello." the girl greeted her foster father as he approached her.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you here." He remarked. "I should hope you rode a bus here, instead of walking?"
She nodded in response. "I decided I would pick you up today instead!"
"That sounds excellent." the Professor responded with a chuckle, before something in Flora's hand caught his attention. "Hm? Flora, what do you have there?"
"Oh, these?" she asked, before holding up a pair of small rain boots. "I found them next to the doors."
"This is certainly unusual..." Hershel stated, setting down his trunk, so both hands would be free to examine the abandoned shoes, as she handed them over. It was raining all morning, so the boots themselves were not the unusual part. Rather, it was the fact they were child sized, a very small size 10, to be precise. On the inside of either boot's shaft, the initials 'A.L.' were written in black marker on a pale canvas lining. The shoes were dark blue with red soles, indicating these most likely belonged to a boy. It wasn't much to go on, but if it was a child they would be looking for, he could hope that child was still on the university's campus.
"Do you think they belong to Luke?" Flora questioned.
"I highly doubt it." said Hershel. "These probably belong to a five or six year old boy. Far too small to be Luke's."
"True. He's thirteen, and he does have big feet..." she quietly remarked.
The two soon found themselves asking students and faculty alike, if they had seen the owner of the boots. After around a dozen variations of 'no', they finally had a lead!
"The owner of those wellies? Aye, we met him!" the first student confirmed. Both Flora and Layton were eager to know more.
"He was about this tall..." the second student added, holding her hand out to establish the child was a little over three feet tall. "He had red hair, and oddly enough he was looking for you, Professor!"
"You are certain on that?" the Professor asked, perplexed by this new information.
"Aye!" said the first student. "He showed us a photograph. There is no mistaking it was you."
"Where is he now? Do you know?" Flora inquired.
"We took him to the Professor's office. Told him you'd be there any minute." the second student answered. "He might still be there."
"Let us certainly hope so!" Hershel remarked as they parted ways.
"I don't understand, Professor." stated Flora, as she closely followed her foster father. "What would a little boy need to see you for?"
The Professor didn't answer. There were many thoughts circling in his mind: Who was this little boy? And what did he want to see him about? Would this lead to yet another puzzle solving adventure? Or would this easily be resolved by the end of the day? He really was unsure. He simply knew they would need to get this child back to his family, especially if they were not nearby. His train of thought ended when they reached his study door, only to hear what sounded like arguing from the inside between Luke and another boy. Perhaps the mystery child in question?
"Now stopping at Gressenheller University. Gressenheller University." the bus driver's voice came through loud and clear on the speakers. Once the bus came to a full stop, half of the passengers got off, since most of them were students on their way to their midday lectures. One, however, was not.
He was much smaller, and younger, by comparison. He had short red hair that was thick and wavy, with one lock standing out and away from his face, which was barely visible since his bangs started growing out; his hazel eyes were especially concealed rather well. This combined with his short yet prominent nose sticking was reminiscent of a sheep dog. He wore a dark blue raincoat with red buttons, over a red t-shirt with blue sleeves, blue denim shorts, and white ankle socks concealed by a pair of dark blue rain boots with red soles.
"Ya sure you'll be alright, little guy?" the bus driver asked him before he could reach the steps.
"Yes, I'll be fine." the little boy answered. "Like I said, I'm meeting with-"
"Ah, right. You mentioned that, didn't ya?" the driver asked. "Well, hopefully ya find him, but if not, be sure to call your mum!"
"I will. Thank you!" He said, before hopping off the bus, and skipping to the front gate of the university. Upon seeing the massive size of the building, he froze, amazed yet nervous all at once.
This must be it. He thought to himself. It's so big...Will I even find him here? Working up the courage, he marched to the front doors, taking off his boots once he got inside. No where to put my coat or backpack...? he wondered, failing to find a place for either item anywhere nearby. Guess I'll have to keep them on me.
And so, his trek of the humongous campus began. Or at least, it would have, had a group of students he hadn't paid any mind to until then not noticed it peculiar to see an unaccompanied child wandering the university grounds, and deciding to immediately intervene. Next thing he knew, he was seated on a bench, while said students debated on what to do with him, while bombarding him with questions.
"Maybe one of his parents is here and had no choice but to bring him?" one of them asked.
"Wouldn't a parent be with him if that were the case?" another asked back.
"Alright, one of you go call security." said the third. "Or at least find a professor, if not an admin."
"What's you name, little guy?" the first student asked him. "Is one of your parents here?"
"Yeah, what's your mummy or daddy's name?" the second student inquired.
"My name is Al, and I'm looking for this man." he finally answered, after searching through his backpack, and presenting a photograph to them.
"Professor Layton?" the second student asked. "What would you need to see him for?"
"I...It's a secret." the boy answered, shyly.
"A secret?" asked the first student. They all looked at each other, before concluding that was all they would be able to get out of him. "He's probably teaching a class right now. But we'll take you to his office, where you can wait for him."
"Okay." the boy hesitantly replied, allowing one of them to lead him by the hand.
True to their word, they led him up the big staircase, and down a hall, until they reached what he presumed was the office in question. It seemed apparent enough, anyway, with the top hat emblem on the door. All three were surprised that the door was unlocked, before going inside. Only Al was shocked to see such a messy room; not that he could say he was any better at keeping his own room clean, but...
"It feels like a big game of Jenga in here!" He exclaimed, afraid to touch anything without the possibility of everything around it to come crashing down as well.
The grownup pair laughed at the remark.
"No worries." said the man. "Nothing here's gonna fall over."
"It better not..." the boy mumbled. "Well, I guess I'll wait here. Thanks for your help!" he said to the pair.
"Anytime, little guy! said the woman, as the two started to leave. "We'd stick around, but we got our classes to get to."
"That's okay." said the boy. "Thanks again."
With that, he was all alone. He took off his backpack and raincoat, setting them both on the sofa before exploring the rest of the room. He started with the desk, climbing onto the chair, the edge of which his little legs barely met. He looked around, careful not to knock anything over. There were photos on the wall, though he didn't recognize anyone in them, aside from the Professor. He stood up to reach over and grab one, when he heard the door open.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing touching the Professor's stuff?!" Another child shouted. He turned to see a boy older and taller than him, wearing what looked to be a uniform for a primary school.
"What are you? The professor police?" the younger boy sarcastically asked, hopping out of the chair. It's not like I broke or stole anything."
"I never said you did, uh..." the older boy paused. "What's your name?"
"Al." answered the smaller boy. "Alfendi."
"'Alfendi'?" the bigger boy repeated, before laughing. "What a funny name!"
"What's so funny about it?!" Alfendi growled, charging at him.
"Whoa, hey! Calm down!" the other boy insisted. "Why are you here?"
"It's a secret." Alfendi firmly answered, crossing his arms.
"So you can't even tell me?" he asked. "You can trust me! I'm Luke Triton, the Professor's apprentice number one!"
"What's a 'app-ren-tiss'?" asked a now skeptical Alfendi.
"What do you mean 'what's an apprentice?!" Luke questioned. "I'm learning to become a gentleman, just like the Professor!"
"What's a gentleman?" Alfendi asked. There was a pause, as Luke raised an eyebrow at the other boy. "Look, I may have been the smartest in my nursery school class, but you can't expect me to know everything!"
"Nursery school? Wait, how old are you?" Luke inquired. "Shouldn't your parents be with you?"
"That's none of your business!" Alfendi hissed.
"Ahem." the Professor politely interrupted the argument before it could escalate any further. Both boys jumped in surprise upon hearing the older man, and turned to face him.
"Ah, Professor!" Luke stammered. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were here!"
Meanwhile, the red-haired boy didn't say anything. He simply gawked as he eyed the top hat wearing gentleman standing before him.
"Quite alright, my boy." said the Professor, before turning his attention to the smallest child. "And who might you be, young man?"
"A...Are you...Professor Hershel Layton?" he asked.
"Why, yes I am." Hershel confirmed.
"My name is Alfendi Layton." said the boy. "I'm your son!"
With those words, the room fell into a stunned and confused silence, with all eyes on Hershel. Nothing could have prepared him for this. Nothing could...
And there is chapter one. I know what most of you will say; something along the lines of "I think he's adopted". I say it's a valid possibility, but not the only possibility. After everything I've seen in the canon thus far, there is no way I can say they're not blood related.
As I said at the start, I have two theories to explain Alfendi. The first, which this fanfic is based on, is he is the illegitimate child between Hershel and an unidentified woman (I have a good hunch as to who she is, but we'll get to that in the next chapter). It explains his absence in every game until his own (Mystery Room). I say this is the more likely of the two theories, even if there are flaws, but again, those will be addressed next chapter.
The other theory involves major series spoilers, so if you would like to know more, feel free to message me privately. I will say this about it: it might not get made into a fanfic, since it is a bit more complicated.
Anyway, I'll see you guys later! In the time, honest reviews, please! c: