Chapter I: So We Meet Again…

A brunette girl was sleeping on the desk while a man was sleeping on the couch.

Dark brown eyes stared at the streets with blank, distant eyes.

She has long, dark brown hair with hair past her face with only a single bang just at her nose, bags under her eyes, and bruises all over her body. She was wearing a long-sleeved black dress.

"Hello there."

She looked up slightly to see a young woman.

She has light, brown hair and black eyes. She was wearing a pale orange jacket over a black shirt and skirt, and black shoes. She was also wearing glasses.

The young woman crouched down to her sitting form. "What's your name?" She kindly smiled at the little girl.

The brunette girl was silent.

For some reason…this woman reminded her of the red-haired that was kind enough to taken her in.

"…I'm Jasmine… Jasmine Montalvo…"

"That's a great name. It's an American name, isn't it? I'm Claire. It's nice to meet you, Jasmine." She gently pats her head.

A tear slid down her cheek before her eyes opened.

She has long, dark brown hair with her bangs covering her forehead, strands of hair framing her face, and dark brown eyes. She was wearing hooded blue dress; her left sleeve was white with a black ribbon while the right side was black with a white ribbon, and blue shoes.

She softly signed as she put her hand over her bangs before putting her glasses on. Not again…

She couldn't stop remembering her…or the young man who helped her…

Jasmine looked up when she heard someone knocking on the door. "Professor? Jasmine?"

The brunette girl slowly stood up before making her way to the door.

She opened it to see a woman.

She has brown hair with a white cloth over it and black eyes. She was wearing a blue dress over an orange T-shirt with long sleeves, a red maillot, and brown shoes.

The woman smiled. "Good morning, Jasmine!"

"Morning, Rosa…" She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Did you get enough sleep?"

"Sort of…"

"Is the professor up yet?"

Before she could respond, someone moaned behind her. "Now he is."

She closed the door behind Rosa after letting her in before making her way to the desk.

Lying on the couch was Professor Hershel Layton.

He has brown hair and black eyes. He was wearing a brown top hat with a red cloth on his head, an orange shirt, brown pants, and a pair of dark green shoes. The brown coat was lying on top of him.

Layton slowly got up, yawning.

"You have a letter, Professor." Rosa handed Layton an envelope.

"Thank you, Rosa. Good morning, Jasmine."

"Morning…" She rubbed her eyes. She wasn't really a morning person…

"Sounds like someone was up researching all night…again." Rosa walked over to the other side of the room. "It's no wonder the other professors are so intimidated by you."

"Oh, they just think that I'm some young upstart."

Jasmine took one of the pens from the cup on the desk before giving it to Layton.

"Thank you." Layton smiled at her before opening the letter. His face suddenly dropped in surprise. "What is this?" He frowned. "…"Regards, Clark."… After all these years…?" He turned to the brunette girl. "Do you mind coming with me, Jasmine?"

She shook her head as he grabbed his coat.

"Rose, we're going out." Layton passed Rosa, who had a tray of tea before stopping. He backed up to drink a cup of tea.

Jasmine signed with a soft smile. Really? He couldn't forget the tea?

"Thank you, Rosa." He put the cup down before leaving with Jasmine behind him.


Jasmine was sitting in the passenger's seat while Layton drove out of the university in his red car.

"Jasmine, are you feeling all right?" Layton asked.

She looked at him in confusion. "Huh?"

"I noticed that you haven't really been sleeping lately."

Jasmine softly signed. She didn't think he would notice, but then…of course he would… "I haven't really been able to sleep lately. I'm sorry that I worried you…"

Layton softly smiled. "It's all right, Jasmine. I'm just worried about you. You're like a daughter to me."

Jasmine looked down with a soft sign. She didn't mean to make him worry.

"You can trust me, Jasmine. You can't keep everything in forever."

Jasmine looked to the side. That was the thing…she was so used to keeping things in since no one ever noticed…

Suddenly, Layton stopped the car, making Jasmine softly gasp in surprise.

A woman on a yellow scooter stopped in front of them.

Layton got out of the car along with Jasmine. "See here! What was that about?!"

The woman took off her helmet, smiling at them. "Nice to see you again… Professor Layton."

She has long, brown hair and black eyes. She was wearing a long-sleeved yellow trench coat with a white button-up blouse underneath, a pale pink bowtie, a brown belt, and gray-black boots.

Jasmine silently looked at her while Layton asked, "And you are…?"


Jasmine was sitting in the back while the brunette woman had taken the passenger seat. Her scooter was tied on top of the car.

"Why, didn't Dean Delmona tell you?"

"Um…" Jasmine hesitated, making the woman look at her. "We kinda left before he got to tell the professor anything."

"Oh, I see! Anyway, what's your name?" She smiled at the teenage girl.

"Um…Jasmine Montalvo…" Talking to others was always hard for her.

"That's a cute name!" Her comment made her slightly blush before the woman turned to Layton. "I'm Emmy Altava, your new assistant! Call me Emmy!"

"I'm sorry, you're me…?" Layton slowly said.

"Assistant! You do know what an assistant is, don't you?" Emmy giggled.

"Of course. I'm sorry, Miss Altava, but…"

"Professor, please…Emmy!" She reminded him. "And stop apologizing so much!"

"All right, Emmy. So sorry, but it seems that there has been some sort of mistake here." Layton told her.

"Oh, I don't think so, Professor! Dean Delmona hired me himself! It seems that you have been too busy to attend your departmental meetings lately. Is that right?"

"Well… I suppose there might be some truth to that." Layton reluctantly said before continuing. "However—"

"Sounds to me like if anyone needs an assistant, it's you! So from now on, I'll be the backup on all your projects! Got it?" She didn't wait for him in respond. "Great! I can't wait to get started!"

Jasmine was quiet before she looked out the window. For some reason… She looks familiar… Like…I've met her before…

"So, what perplexing mystery are we hot on the trail of now?" Emmy asked.

Layton smiled. "Why would you ask that?"

Emmy smiled. "Well…you and Jasmine were off to somewhere in quite a hurry. Something must have piqued your interest."

He laughed. "That intuition will serve you well." Layton handed her a piece of paper.

"What's this? A letter?"

"Very good. I received it about an hour ago. Go ahead, read it aloud."

Emmy opened the letter. "Hershel, my dear old friend, I must earnestly seek your help again. Our little town is in the most extraordinary predicament. At night, a mysterious giant shrouded in fog has been laying waste to our homes. I am convinced you can help stop this madness. Please come soon! Regards, Clark."

Jasmine quietly stared at the two adults.

"A giant? That's, uh… How well do you know this person?" Emmy asked.

"Clark and I go back a long way. I can't imagine he would fabricate stories for no reason. I find the other message in the letter very interesting, as well."

"Other message?"

Jasmine leaned forward to look for the hidden message.

"I found the secret message using the first letter of each line!" Emmy smiled to herself at her own achievement.

"Emmy, you just may turn out to be quite valuable as an assistant, after all." Layton complimented her.

"Oh! Well…thank you, Professor! That means a lot coming from you." Emmy then had a worried look on her face. ""Help SOS"… Why the need to hide this in some sort of code?"

Layton frowned. "My question, as well. Clark and I have been friends for many years. If he wanted to tell me something, he wouldn't have to hide it. I'm not yet certain what this means."

"Ooooh, how mysterious!" Emmy stared at Layton in awe. "My first day on the job, and it's already so Laytonesque!"

Jasmine couldn't help the slight smile on her face before shaking her head in slight amusement.

"…Laytonesque? What on earth does that… Emmy, had you heard of me before today?" Layton asked.

"Heard of you?! Of course I've heard of you! I know everything about you, Professor!" Emmy took out a small booklet. "Hershel Layton: At age 27, became youngest professor in the history of Gressenheller University. Published in numerous academic journals, which I could recite chronologically, if you like. Astute intellect and preternatural skills of observation have been utilized by Scotland Yard to solve some of London's most difficult criminal cases. Single. Thirty-four years old. Capricorn. I made that last part up… Just a guess!"

Jasmine silently stared at Emmy.

"…Well, you've certainly done your homework. I can see why Dean Delmona hired you." Layton was surprised at the information Emmy had just given him.

"When I asked Dean Delmona about the position, I told him I wouldn't take no for an answer!"

"Interesting. May I ask why you were so intent on working with me?"

"Hm… He doesn't remember." Emmy murmured softly.

"Emmy?" Layton called her name in concern.

"Hm?! Um, so where did you say we are headed, Professor?"

"I didn't. Emmy, if you are to be my assistant, we must set a few rules. As an English gentleman, I can never allow you and Jasmine to follow me into a dangerous situation."

Jasmine could practically hear the unspoken words 'especially Jasmine' from that one sentence.

"That sounds reasonable! Let's just remember that there are exceptions to every rule. You don't have to worry about Jasmine. I'll look after her!" Emmy smiled at the brunette girl, who hesitantly smiled back. ""English gentleman."" Emmy laughed. "You're funny, Professor!"

"Yes, well…thank you. In answer to your question, we are headed to the town of Misthallery."

"Misthallery… Misthallery…" Emmy repeated the name to herself. "Why is that name familiar?"

"About six months ago, some ancient remains were discovered there." Layton smiled. "You probably read about it in the Times."

Emmy smiled as well. "Yes! I remember reading that the fabled Golden Garden might be located in Misthallery! And now a close friend of yours who lives in Misthallery has sent an urgent plea for help… A great archaeological find linked to a mysterious letter, all surrounded by an air of danger… I can't imagine a situation possibly being more Laytonesque!"

Layton frowned. "Emmy, can you refrain from saying… Oh, never mind."

Jasmine only smiled in amusement before she looked out the window with a quiet sign.


I was looking over this story, and I just didn't like how I was writing, so I decided to edited it. All the same, I hope you guys keep reviewing.

Disclaimer: I only own Jasmine.