It wasn't a surprise that police were called to the market district after the first appearance of the Masked Gentleman and his 'miracle'. So far the speculation was that the horses had been tourists since no one native to Monte d'Or reported loved ones or friends missing. Actually, there was no report yet, or sign of identity. Of course, Elaine already knew the reason for all this but knew she couldn't speak a word.

The incident also caused a sort of emergency meeting between herself, Henry and Angela.

"How could this happen? Why even?" Henry muttered, mostly to himself but still loud enough for both women to hear as they all sat in the parlour. Henry looked towards Elaine.

"Can you say again what happened, Madeline?"

"There was a bright light," Elaine began. "The 'Masked Gentleman', as 'e called 'imself appeared on the ledge of a roof and there was another bright light and people were apparently turned into 'orses and 'e literally flew away."

"And… You said he was wearing the Mask of Chaos?" The concern for this problem was clear on Angela's face and even Henry began to frown as he began imagining more problems.

"Oui, 'e was."

"This is beginning to quickly become a predicament." Henry looked outside the window as the sun was making its evening set. "There could be another attack and it will hardly be in the same place as the market district. Then the mask. Master Randall was the last one to have it so…" Henry began to frown, and his eyes seemed to glaze for a moment. If Elaine had to guess, Henry could have been thinking of dark possibilities in regards to Randall's current state. But Henry shuck his head.

"Master Randall possibly got separated from the mask. Maybe even had it stolen from him by this Masked Gentleman. Either way, no one can no our mask is fake. If so, we may lose our only beacon for Master Randall."

"But, not if it was stolen." Angela brought up, a little hesitant sounding. Elaine and Henry looked to her as the message was clear.

"Are… Are you suggestion we hide the mask?" Henry asked, sounding incredulous.

"If the police find out, it won't look too nicely for either you or 'Enry." Elaine said, concern on her face.

"I know, but it's something to consider at least. We'll hide it somewhere safe."

"What if I 'id it then?" Elaine still had yet to figure out exactly what use Descole had for the fake mask, but it would probably be best to get it to him since she had the chance. "At least if I 'id it, it could keep you two safe maybe."

"No." Henry was quick to respond, his eyes narrowed slightly. "I refuse-."

"I'll be fine," Elaine cut across. "I know what I'm possibly risking but I'll be careful. I won't 'ide the mask in my 'ouse. I'll 'ide it somewhere more secure."

Henry still looked reluctant. But he sighed, putting his hand against his forehead.

"Alright. Fine. Just… Just be careful and don't let anyone see you with the mask."

"I will. Trust me."

Elaine had mixed feelings when she made her way through the halls of the Reunion Inn. When all this was over, she could only hope Angela and Henry wouldn't hold this against her, or at the very least not against her cousin. That was the least she could ask for. Though she did feel a strange sense of pride of having been able to convince the two to give her the Mask of Chaos. Then again, they probably did have a lot of trust and fate in Madeline so that feeling was very small.

But regardless, she went to the familiar hotel room door and knocked on it.

"It's Elaine so open the door." A moment or two later, Descole opened the door. He seemed slightly annoyed.

"I don't think there's a specific reason for you to be here, Elaine."

"What about this?" Elaine reached into her suit jacket and pulled out enough of the fake Mask of Chaos to be seen. Descole annoyed look faded away and turned to a light smirk.

"That is something, puppy."

"Just let me in, Dessy." Elaine muttered. Descole stepped to the side and once Elaine was inside he held his hand out for the fake mask after he locked the door. Elaine rolled her eyes as she handed it over.

"Don't see why you're so anxious for the bloody thing. You know it's fake. Randall has the real one."

"And he doesn't really need it. Just as long as he appears to have the mask, it will be enough for the crowds." Descole remarked as he inspected the mask for any imperfections. Elaine groaned when she realised what Descole planned. Either from this plan itself or the frustration of not realising it sooner.

"And 'ow are you even going to switch the two?"

"Simple. You distract him." Descole replied shortly. "You'll think of something. Just talk to him. I'll just say I want to look at his mask for a moment and once you distract him I'll make the switch and give him the fake." Elaine scowled a bit but realised she didn't have too much choice. Looking around, she realised and worry began to grow.

"Wh-where's Madeline?"

"I'm expecting a visit from Randall so I hid your cousin in the bathroom." Descole answered. "So your delivery of this mask was well timed."

"Gee, 'ow kind of you. You are certainly 'ospitable." Elaine muttered. "And I thought you told 'im of my role in this? I assumed that means 'e knows about Madeline."

"He knows to a certain degree." Descole admitted. "But I thought it would be better if Madeline wasn't present." Elaine huffed as she took her wig off and plopped herself on the couch.

"The way I feel isn't made easy by you and your actions."

"True, but it will be worth it." Descole finally looked away from the mask and to Elaine. "The Ledores don't suspect you're not Madeline?"

"No." Elaine replied dryly. Descole nodded and hid the mask under his cloak as he smirked.

"I assume you've heard of the first miracle?"

"I was there." Elaine replied. "And I've already guessed that the 'orses were the ones you 'ad were from the warehouse and that no one was really turned into one."

"You saw them beforehand so you had an unfair advantage of guessing."

"And Randall's wings?"

"I thought they would go well with the Masked Gentleman's character."

"Randall seems to be playing 'im well I'm guessing?"

"That he is." Descole gave a small chuckle. "I almost feel sorry for the naïve fool. Almost."

"And what do you 'ope to gain from the chaos?"

"Simple. The only thing that can counter the Mask of Chaos is the Mask of Order. So if Henry Ledore were to use it-."

"You would snatch it the moment it appeared." Elaine filled in. "Can you at least tell me what the next miracle or two is? I want to know where to avoid so I don't end up nearly blind like the previous one, or something similar."

"Maybe I don't feel like spoiling you."

"And maybe I don't really care." Elaine countered.

"Well then, unfortunately for you, I still won't tell." Elaine sighed. Descole could really be aggravating.

"Can't you just-?" A knock at the door interrupted Elaine.

"It's Randall, can you let me in?" Elaine didn't bother making an attempt to continue her sentence as Descole went to open the door to let Randall in. He seemed in a fairly good mood if his smile was anything to go by.

"The first miracle went off rather well if I do say so myself." Noticing Elaine on the couch, Randall grinned. "How's Henry taking this? Is he scared?" Elaine bit her tongue lightly before she replied,

"'E's… spooked, and concerned." Randall gave a low chuckle.

"Not what I had in mind, but it is only the beginning I suppose."

"Randall, I was wondering if perhaps I could 'ave a look at the Mask of Chaos?" Descole then asked. "Just for a moment or two." Randall looked a bit surprised by this, but didn't hesitate in taking his mask out from his suit jacket and handing it to the masked man.

"Sure, if you really want to."

"Thank you." Elaine tried to think quickly since she knew Descole would expect her to think of something to distract Randall with.

"Er, so Randall I was wondering… What exactly were you doing for the last few years?" Not the best question Elaine could think of, but it was better then nothing.

"Well I worked as a farmer for the past eighteen years with a kind man named Firth."

"Were you close to 'im?"

"Well… He was sort of a father figure for me," Randall admitted. "He was the one who found me so I suppose I also felt some gratitude towards him as well."

"I suppose so," Elaine said. "And what was it like working on a farm?"

"It wasn't too bad actually," Randall admitted. "It wasn't the wasiest job in the world, but it wasn't too bad." Randall frowned slightly. "Right now, I have a small regret of not leaving a letter to Firth explaining why I left. I just went off without explanation."

"Your mask." Before Elaine could have given a response, Descole spoke up and handed Randall back his mask, or rather, the fake mask.

"Oh, thank you." Randall took it, none the wiser. "So the next miracle is next week? Around the art gallery?"

"Yes, the paintings should be delivered and hung by then." Descole responded. "But we should probably go over details for the miracles after that." Descole motioned for Randall to join him near the window, leaving Elaine alone on the couch. Elaine shut her eyes and leaned back into the couch. She tried to focus her hearing on the two men to hear their conversation, but they were speaking low enough for her not to be hear out anything too well. It was frustrating, but there was nothing she could really do about it.

Whatever would happen next, she would just have to hope it wouldn't be too bad.


OMAKE THEATRE: Where Layton characters are chibi-fied!


Descole grumbled as he made his way towards the hotel room, not wearing his Angela disguise. He couldn't say this was his most favourite disguise to date, but he was able to force himself to go through with it. He was also annoyed about the fact that Raymond had just come for him to tell him that Elaine needed him and that it was an emergency.

He knocked on the door when he arrived.

"Elaine, it's me. What's the problem?" It took a bit longer than expected, but the door soon opened to reveal Elaine. Looking scared and freaked out.

"Um… This." Elaine stepped to the side to let Descole see the problem. Madeline and Angela were still tied up. However it was the uninvited third guest that shocked him.

Henry Ledore was hogtied and gagged. He was conscious and his frantic yells were muffled.

Naturally, Descole was shocked.

"Wh-what happened?!"

"It was an accident!" Elaine began. "'E just appeared and I panicked so I through the lamp at 'im and 'e went unconscious so I tied 'im up!"

"God damn it!" Descole shoved Raymond in and went in himself, slamming the door behind him. "How did he just, 'appear'?"

"I don't know! 'E just did!" Descole sighed in frustration. "Great. Now how the hell are we going to do this?" Descole looked thoughtful and stroked his imaginary goatee. The one he had been thinking of growing for the past few year to make him look more evil but decided not to since it would go badly with the mask.

"Okay, this is what we do," Descole announced once he thought of something. "Elaine, you're now playing Angela, and I'll be Henry. We're all happy and there's no problem."

Cue door opening.

"Hey, Descole I forgot my foundation…" Randall trailed off when he noticed Henry on the ground. Henry meanwhile stopped his muffled yells to look at Randall in such a way as if he just saw Jesus.

"Dick-biscuit!"

Elaine then picked up another lamp and threw it at Randall's head after he spoke, knocking him out now.

"Elaine!"

"It was an accident!"

"What's going on he-?"

Elaine then through her shoe at the maid's head.

"Stop knocking unconscious!"

"I can't 'elp it!"

"New plan!" Descole snapped. "You're Angela, I'm Henry, Raymond's the maid."

"… Master?"

"Yes Raymond?"

"… Screw you, Master. Just, screw you."


Remember that one shot I mentioned previous chapter? Just posted it. It's called, 'The Rest of Eternity'. Hope you like :)