A/N: Here we go with another chapter! By the way, the Venrin is an ancient civilization of my own creation.

Here's some Professor Layton for you!

…

Chapter Three: The Venrin

Professor Hershal Layton watched as his students filed into the classroom and took their seats. If there was one thing he loved on the same level as puzzle solving, it was educating young minds.

"Alright, class, settle down," he started once the clock struck eleven. The students instantly quieted down, giving the professor their full attention. He smiled warmly at them, beginning his lesson.

"As you all know, we are starting ancient civilizations today, such as the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Romans—"

"And the Azran, Professor?" one of the students asked, her hand raised. Professor Layton smiled at her with a nod, a hand to the brim of his hat.

"Yes, Ms. Strider, and the Azran," he confirmed. "For this unit, I usually take a two class periods to talk about the five most prominently known civilizations. Today, we will— yes, Mr. White?" the professor cut off as another hand shot up.

"Professor, is it true that the Azran's created Misthallary's Golden Garden, Ambrosia, and the ruins beneath Monte d'Or?" he asked. The professor nodded.

"Are you referring to the Nautilus Chamber of Akbadain? Then yes," The professor said. Another hand went up.

"Professor, is it also true that the world had an entirely different ecosystem in the Azran's days?"

"And that they were even more technologically advanced then us?"

"And that they created dolls as their labor force?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Professor Layton said, making a placating motion with his hands. The students fell quiet, watching the professor with wide, bright eyes. Professor Layton smiled apologetically at them. "We will discuss all of this when we reach the Azran segment of this section. If you all are truly that interested, then I would suggest Donald Rutledge's book, Ancient Histories," he said. Most of the class wrote the title down before looking back up at the man in front of him. He smiled.

"Today, we will be talking about a different civilization. Now, I know all of you know of Amity Park and ghosts after the Disasteroid Incident, correct?" he asked. Quite a few students nodded, and a hand shot into the air.

"Yes, Ms. Strider?" he asked, looking once more at the girl in the front of the class.

"Professor, isn't that where Professor Shiner is on Sabbatical?" she asked. Professor Layton smiled.

"Correct. He is researching the very people we will be discussing. How many here have heard of the Venrin Civilization?" he asked. Only a smattering of hands rose, and the professor gave his class a bemused smile. "If you haven't, there is no need to be ashamed. It is not very well known," he explained. Most of the hands went down, and the Professor nodded once more before going over to his chalk board, glancing momentarily in a book on his desk.

"Venrin artifacts have popped up all over the world, but most have appeared in or around Amity Park, Illinois." He wrote on the board as he spoke. "Artifacts made of stone contain the same signature found only in that small town, while the metal ones are unidentifiable. Just five years ago, Artie Digger discovered a rock stele that translated almost all of the Venrin Ruins into a Native American language, which was then translated by Digger himself into English."

"Do you mean like the Rosetta Stone, with how it has Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Demotic script, and Ancient Greek?" a student asked.

"Exactly," the professor said, picking up the book and holding it up for the students to see the picture of the large stone, coated in writing. "Digger calls it the 'Phantom Rosetta Stone,'" he said, smiling slightly at the sounds of pens and pencils against paper.

"Excuse me, Professor, but why the 'Phantom Rosetta Stone?'" a student asked. The professor smiled.

"Excellent question. This is because the Venrin were deeply connected to the spiritual world, as stated on the Phantom Rosetta Stone," he explained, tapping the book. Another student raised his hand, and the professor nodded for him to proceed.

"Why is it Venrin and Native American, though?" he asked.

"Another good question. This stele was written by a Native American Shaman. The Venrin lived a very long time ago, just before the Native Americans. Most mysteriously died– Digger believe either a foreign illness or warfare – but a few are believed to have survived intermingled with the Native Americans. They were the Shamans of the Native American tribes in and around the Amity Park area. To this end, they would know not only their own language, but also that of the tribe who adopted them," Professor Layton explained. The students nodded at this information, some writing it, some discussing it quietly with their neighbors. The professor let them for a few moments before quietly clearing his throat. Instantly, all eyes were on him again.

"There is not much known about the Venrin. To this end, this shall be the only class period we discuss them. For homework, however, you are to find Artie Digger's essays in the Archeology journals and read them. We will discuss them for the first ten minutes of class next time," the Professor explained, before moving on to a much larger and well known topic; the Ancient Greeks.

…

Professor Layton returned to his office after that class, looking forward to relaxing with a nice cup of tea. There, he knew he would find his charge, Flora Reinhold, tapping away at her typewriter. Sure enough, as he reached the door, he heard the tell-tale tap-tap-tap.

"Hello, my dear," he said as he opened the door and stepped in. Flora looked up and broke into a huge grin.

"Professor!" she said, quickly darting to her feet and running over to his desk. Hershal shook his head once more at how much the girl he sees as his daughter had grown into a young woman. Her long hair was still pulled back into a pony-tail, with the characteristic curl covering her forehead, but now she stood at about 5'3" and wore a pink blouse and matching skirt with white leggings underneath, ending in a pair of boots. She moved a lot more confidently then she used to, and wasn't as afraid of being alone either.

"This came in the mail today," she said, turning and presenting the brooding 'father' with a letter. "It's from Luke!"

Finally understanding the source of her excitement, Professor Layton took his letter opener and opened the letter, quickly smoothing it out to read it.

Dear Professor, Flora, and Alfendi,

How are you all doing? I trust you've been keeping busy, of course. I really enjoyed 'The Curious Village,' Flora. You did a wonderful job at writing it, and I can't wait until you finish your next book and it gets published!

Have you kept up with your fencing practice, Alfendi? You still owe me a rematch after last time. This time we probably shouldn't do it at Fey manor though. We don't want to make Pearl think we're trying to kill each other again!

How are your classes going, Professor? I'm sure the students (well, most of them) are just soaking in everything you tell them like a sponge. You should be starting your ancient civilization unit soon, correct? How many students do you think will ask you about the Azran this semester?

Dad, Dr. Kingston, and I arrived in Amity Park this morning. You'll never guess who we ran into! Professor Shiner and Eric! Talk about a blast from the past. They're researching the Venrin. I'm sure you know all there is to know about the Venrin, Professor. I have to keep reminding myself to focus on the Native Americans because the Venrin are just so interesting!

I did find something tonight though. A band that is covered in the Venrin ruin for spirits. This has to be important. After all, the Venrin were deeply involved with the spiritual world.

Speaking of spirits, I just saw my first ghost since arriving at Amity Park. A ghost cat, chasing a poor mouse. I saved the mouse and scared away the cat. Now I don't think Squeak (I did not name him that) is ever going to leave me!

That's everything that's happening with me right now. I hope to hear back from you soon, professor! Just send your letter to the return address.

Love always,

Your faithful apprentice,

Luke Triton.

"Amity Park? Ghosts?" Flora asked before giving a little shudder. "Spooky."

"He read your book," Professor Layton reminded her with an amused smile. Flora's eyes lit up, and she smiled.

"I know! I didn't think he was serious about it doing it, but I'm glad he did." She looked back at the letter, shaking her head. "So… Professor… What do you know about the Venrin?" she asked. Professor Layton chuckled at the timing between his class and Luke's letter before beginning to tell Flora everything he just told his class. She asked questions here and there before finally nodding.

"I get it now," she said with a smile. The professor smiled warmly at her.

"I knew you would, my dear." He stood and walked over to his kettle, pouring himself a cup of tea before looking out of the window of his office.

…

Danny sat on the couch in his parents' living room, watching his mom as she analyzed the band around his wrist. In the few days since it first appeared, he still hadn't been able to remove it. And after the incident with the Fenton Hacksaw, he wasn't letting Jack anywhere near his arm. He did, however, recover his energy, so at least one good thing happened.

"Aw, common, Danny, I was just joking," Jack said.

"No Dad. Just… no," he said. Maddie frowned, finally looking up.

"There are no seams, no place where it separates… nothing," she told her son, who looked once more at the band.

"Of course not," he sighed, letting it drop back down on the couch next to him."

"Have you tried going intangible through it?" Maddie asked, sitting back. Danny nodded.

"Multiple times, but it doesn't work. Whatever this is… it's ghost proof," he said.

"Of course," Maddie sighed, shaking her head.

"You know what though… I must have picked it up at that dig. What if the archeologists there know what it is, and can get it off?" Danny asked, suddenly having a light bulb moment. Maddie smiled.

"That's perfect! Do you want company?" she asked. Danny shook his head, standing.

"Nah, I'll be fine. It's right at the park, which is a short walk from here, right?" he said. His parents nodded, watching as he walked out, both worried about him.

Danny stretched as he waked down the stoop to his parents' house before deciding to jog to the park. There, he ducked under the rope barrier.

"Hey! You can't be in here!" a voice shouted. Turning in the direction, he saw a guy, only a few years older then himself, rushing over.

"I'm sorry, I just—"

"Wait, you're Danny Phantom!" Eric gasped, changing his tune instantly. Danny shrugged with a smile.

"Yeah."

"Well, what's up? Sense a ghost around here or something?" he asked.

"No. I actually wanted to talk to one of the archeologists here," Danny admitted. Eric chuckled.

"You already are. What can I do for you?"

"Well, a few days ago, I was fighting a ghost here, and… he shot me through the ground," Danny explained, pointing to the general area. "I was intangible, so I don't think I disturbed anything, but…" he held up his left wrist, letting the band catch the sunlight. Eric gasped, grabbing his wrist.

"A Venrin Band," he said softly, studying it. He then looked at Danny.

"This is a crucial artifact. Please, we need it," he said, seeming desperate.

"And I'd love to give it to you, but…" Danny tugged on it. "It's kind of attached,"

"Oh… um… well, Maybe Dad will know what to do," Eric said. "Come on." He lead the ghost boy through then dig. It was so weird to him to see the this part of the park so dug up, but he also understood the importance of the archeology dig.

"Dad! We need your help!" Eric called as he got closer to three other men.

CRASH! Danny winced slightly, his head snapping around, while Eric really flinched at the sound of falling artifacts.

"Careful, Clark!" Gregory said, catching his friend's elbow. Clark just nodded and kneeled down to try to salvage the bin of arrowheads he just dropped, muttering an apology.

"I don't think that's how your supposed to treat hundreds of years old artifacts…" Danny muttered. Eric simply shook his head, leading him over to the man who looked up at his shout.

"Dad, Danny Phantom. Danny – can I call you that?" he asked. Danny nodded.

"I would prefer it, actually."

"Danny, this is my father, Professor Loudon Shiner," he said. Danny held out his right hand, shaking the older man's.

"Professor Shiner. It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is all mine. Now, what can I do you for?" the professor asked.

"He has a Venrin Band around his wrist, Dad. Picked up during a ghost battle, right?" Danny nodded. "And he can't remove it."

"Well, let's get back to the tent," Professor Shiner said, herding the two that way. Danny glanced around as they entered, expecting maps, books, and artifacts everywhere.

He was shocked to find the tent bare and empty with only a few scraps of paper laying around.

"You guys must have found something. You've been here for weeks and dug up half the park," Danny said, looking between the two. Professor Shiner motioned for him to sit, and he obeyed.

"We did find stuff," Eric explained as his father studied the band around Danny's wrist. "But the night of the ghost attack, we were all knocked out. It all… vanished…" Eric trailed off, looking away.

"Along with my son."

Clark Triton stepped into the tent, gripping the bin full of salvaged arrowheads, his knuckles white.

"My son, Luke… he went missing that night, too."

…

A/N: Well, the summary told you all that was going to happen, hehe.