Professor Layton and the Atlantean Legacy

Chapter 2

Discoveries and Deception

"Here it is", said Gargoyle as he opened a huge curtain, presenting a huge tablet, the size of a normal house wall. The Professor and his group were amazed at it.

"Professor", gasped Luke.

"My word", said Layton. He then tilted his hat regaining his composure.

The tablet was enscribed with markings of an intrigue language. Furthermore there were pictures showing a diamond diamond shaped relic in the center and an infinity symbol underneath it.

"This relic was created at least 200,000 years ago", said Gargoyle, "But was recovered at least 8 years ago."

"Yes", said Layton. "Any idea what it says?"

"We have made some progress", said Gargoyle, "But not enough to make it intelligible. That's where you come in Professor. We need your expertise to help understand this relic."

"Very well I shall try my best", said Layton tilting his hat. "Though I admit, this may take a bit of time."

"Indeed. I will leave you and your apprentice to your work", said Gargoyle. "Perhaps your ward would like to spend some time in my garden."

Flora smiled, "Oh thank you", said Flora.

"Yes thanks Gargoyle.", said Layton.

"No Professor, thank you, for doing your job", said Gargoyle, which he said with a smudge of irony that the Professor couldn't help but detect.

Gargoyle looked to his servant in earnest that morning. At least 4 days have gone by since the Professor's arrival.

"Any word from our guest", he asked him.

"Yes, he did ask if you could come see him today", said the servant. "He asked me to tell you that while I was bringing him his tea."

"Excellent, I will be there shortly", said Gargoyle.

It didn't take long for him to enter the room were Layton along with Luke was busy working.

"Oh Gargoyle, I was hoping you come by", said Layton tipping his hat.

"I couldn't resist Professor", said Gargoyle. "So tell me, what have you translated so far."

"Well from what I can tell this seems to be an ancient historical document", said the Professor. "It's for a machine known as the Orihalicon", said Layton.

"Impressive", said Gargoyle. "What else have you found out?"

"Well it seems to explain the uses and fundamentals of this object as well as all the recent discoveries used to build it", Layton.

"Fascintating. Tell me, would it be possible to recreate this Orihalicon", asked Gargoyle.

Layton tipped his hat down. "It is possible, the details are all right here. However. . ."

"However", asked Gargoyle a tad of annoyance in his voice.

"However, there seems to be some deposits of minerals that don't seem to be native to our place, or any other location either", said Layton.

"I think we could somehow rectify that. Could you relay your findings to my researchers", asked Gargoyle.

"Of course. But may one ask. . oh I get it, you plan on recreating this device aren't you", said Layton with a smile.

"You catch on quick. That's what I like about you Professor", said Gargoyle.

Putting his hand to the bring of his hat Layton simply replied, "Thank you Mr. Gargoyle."

"No Professor, thank you. I will have my personal scientists come to report your findings. As for me, I must be leaving", said Gargoyle.

"Wait your not staying", asked Luke.

"I am afraid not young man. I have some business to attend to off the island, but I will return soon. You have my word. Until then the Colenel of my personal guard will aid you in any means possible."

"Thank you very much Gargoyle", the professor replied. However no sooner he left he turned to Luke. "Luke I must ask you and Flora try to not draw so much attention to yourself. I have a bad feeling about this place."

"Yeah I got that bad feeling too Professor", said Luke. "There is something about these guys I don't like and it's not just because of the white masks."

Layton nods. Just then another man with a mask similar to gargoyle, only in a soldier's uniform, entered the room. With him were those in lab coats.

"Are you Professor Layton", he asked.

"Yes indeed I am", he said tipping his hat.

"Excellent. Lord Gargoyle has instructed me to listen to your details and to see you and your friends are taken care of, as well as listen to what you have to say", said the captain.

"Glad to hear that", said Layton. "By the way may if I may inquire as to what business Gargoyle has to attend to."

"I am afraid I can't divulge that information. Sorry. In any case please share your information with the science officers", said the captain.

"Very well then", said Layton all the while keeping a stern straight face.

For the next week or so, Professor Layton still observed and reported all his findings to the staff. Luke assisted him whenever and however he could, and Flora managed to occupy herself by enjoying the time in the Garden in the Sky and brought what she could to the Professor, however Layton had warned the staff of her cooking habits so they tried to be discreet to keep her from that task. Things seemed to go along as usual however Layton couldn't help but get more and more suspicious each day. Especially when he asked if he could see the more of the complex, and the guards told him he wasn't allowed to do so under Gargoyles orders.

Then one day, the Professor received a good message from the captain that Gargoyle would be retuning within a few days and that he would be looking into the progress of their work.

"That is good news. Speaking of our work has mine been of big help in any case?" asked Layton.

"More than you can imagine", said the captain. "Now if you will excuse me." He then leaves the artifact room, leaving Layton with Luke.

"Professor", said Luke, "I can't help but feel something awful is bound to happen soon."

"Yes Luke I had that foreboding feeling as well", said Layton. "We must keep on our guard."

No sooner they said this they heard a resounding boom. "PROFESSOR!" gasped Luke.

"Yes I heard it too", said Layton. "What could that be?"

Just then Flora ran in. "PROFESSOR! Thanks goodness I found you!"

She looked like she had just ran a marathon. Her hair was tussled, her face was flushed and her face was all sweaty, and she was hyperventilating.

"Calm down Flora", said Layton calmly. He waited a bit while Flora caught her breath and finally calmed down. "That's better", continued the Professor once her ward calmed down. "Now please, tell me what happened?"

"Oh Professor", said Flora, "I was out in the garden when I saw a plane fly overhead. But just as it approached the island.. . something shot up at them from below the manor! And it went down in flames!"

The Professor grabbed the brim of his hat and pulled it over his eyes in displeasure of what he just heard. "Is that so? How horrid."

"But Professor why would they shoot a plane down", asked Luke.

"I have no idea, but I am going to get to the bottom of this", said Layton after regaining his composure. "Let's locate the captain and find out what this is about."

"All right Professor", said Luke.

"Keep on your guard though, I don't like the sound of this", said the Professor in very serious tone.

At their earnest nods they made their way through the manor trying to find the captain. They searched every nook and cranny and occasionally asked a servant or a guard but they had little results. As night drew near their search seemed all for not.

"It seems", said Layton when their search turned up cold. "We will have to ask the captain later."

"Boy I really wanted to know why they shot a defenseless airplane", said Flora.

"I want to know too", said Luke.

Layton was about to add to it when they heard clamoring in a nearby room. "Wait. …hurry this way."

They rushed in time to find a pair of doors. Just being taken out the room was a clamoring fiery red head. She wore a military styled suit. With here was a short fat gentlemen and a tall and skinny one, both wore white suits.

"LET ME GO" she shouted as she was being pulled by the guards. She and her escorts failed to notice the professor or his companions.

"What was that about?" asked Luke.

"No idea Luke, but I have a feeling it may be connected with the plane", said Layton.

They entered just as the captain said to one of the soldiers, "Good continue your search." The soldier left and the captain noticed his visitors.

"Professor, this was unexpected. How can I help you", the captain asked.

"Forgive me but, we would like to inquire about a recent. . .disturbance.", said Layton.

"Disturbance", asked the captain.

"Yes, my ward informed me earlier of a blast resonating from this island that was used to shoot down a defenseless sea plane flying over head. I know that blast was real for Luke and I heard it's resounding boom", said Layton, "May I inquire as to what that incident was about?"

The captain stared for what seemed a long time. "I assure you it's nothing to be concerned about. That plane belonged to someone who wanted to try to learn of our creation for evil purposes. If we hadn't shot it down, they would have used the Orihalicon for the wrong reasons. Don't worry there are no injuries and they will be held here."

"Oh I get it, that's a bit of a relief", said Flora.

"Yes. .. indeed", said the Professor not sounding so convinced. "What about those three we saw on the way here?"

"They were their contacts. Don't worry they will be detained as well", said the captain. "Please do not worry yourself. Now I understand it's late. Why don't you have your dinner and get some sleep."

"Well I would. . .", started Luke.

"No Luke, he's right, we had a long day tis time we had some rest", said Layton. "Thanks captain, good night."

"Good night", said the captain.

As they walked away Luke asked, "Why didn't you ask him Professor, clearly he was hiding something."

"Yes my boy, but we can't show our cards until we can tell he's truly bluffing, til then we buy our time and wait for the right moment", said Layton.

"Okay", said Luke.

To be continues. . . .

AN: There you have it my second chapter to this story. And for all my watchers out there, the next chapters to Narnia Crisis and Powerpuff Girls vs. Powerpuff Girls Z is on the way! Hope this holds you until then.