Chapter 3: The Spectre Appears

Edgar and Layton stared at each other. Neither of them backing down.

Emmy and Luke looked between the two, not knowing what is going to happen.

Edgar decided to break the silence, "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean," Edgar dismissed, maintaining his calm visage.

Layton took a sip of tea before clarifying his accusation.

"When we were talking with Clark at the mayor's cottage you were listening in through the window and when we met Luke you climbed on top of the garage roof to spy on us again," Layton said pleasantly as if he were stating an interesting fact and not accusing Edgar of espionage.

Edgar wasn't giving up without a fight. The professor had to prove it first.

"And why would I do that. A couple of hours ago, I didn't know you existed," Edgar argued matter of factly.

"That's is what I quite like to know, Mr Cipher," Layton retorted standing up from his sofa.

Edgar smiled, "Other than the odd fan girl who are in awe of my handsomeness," Edgar winked at Emmy teasingly causing her to roll her eyes, "I rarely get any people spying on me. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to how you know someone was spying at the mayor's cottage," Edgar challenged.

"Flowers," Layton answered.

"Flowers," Edgar repeated with a deadpan expression.

"Indeed, the flowers the grew around the side of the garage were standing proudly as Emmy and I entered the cottage. However, as we left I couldn't help, but notice that some have been trampled on. On closer inspection, their were scuff marks on the walls, suggesting someone climbed onto the roof of garage, where there is a window looking into Luke's bedroom," Layton explained clearly.

Edgar noted that the way he said it was not in the bold confronting method he was used to when observing the police. It was more curious, more gentle.

"And what led you to accuse me, pray tell?" Edgar asked, trying to worm his way out of this situation, "As you know, I was making a delivery to the restaurant on the next street. Unless I happen to discover my ability fly in the past few hours, I wouldn't be able to listen in on your conversation," Edgar gave his alibi confidently.

Layton smiled as well, but Edgar could see in his small eyes that he was closing in on the truth.

"Well, first of all you were one of the only people in Misthallery who knew of our destination,"

'Hmmm,' Edgar groaned internally.

"Secondly, we happen to run into a man by the name of Bucky..."

'Dammit,' Edgar thought in annoyance.

"Luke, my boy, could you recall our conversation with Mr. Bucky,"

"Luke, slightly startled by Layton's question, answered him.

"Do you mean when he gave me that toy train, professor?" Luke replied curiously.

"No, before that," Layton told him.

Luke thought for a bit before holding his finger up in remembrance.

"Ah, yes. Bucky mentioned how he just came back from doing a delivery,"

"Indeed. And can you remember why he was doing a delivery?"

This time Emmy answered.

"As a favour for a certain shaggy haired, leather jacket wearing, egotistical little boy," she said with a smirk.

"I'm guessing that wasn't Bucky's exact words," Edgar remarked with an single eye brow raised.

Emmy only smirked in reply.

"So Mr Cipher, after departing us at the Lower Town, you asked Bucky to deliver the crate of vegetables to the restaurant. You then followed Emmy and me to the cottage listened in our conversation with Clark. When you heard us going upstairs to talk to Luke, you climbed onto the roof of garage. You heard Luke's prediction of where the Spectre will and jumped down from the garage accidentally crushing the flowers. You headed towards the hotel on Ely Street to stake out the Spectre. Is there any I missed," Layton deducted.

Edgar was silent. His smile now replaced with frown as the Professor accurately figured him out.

'I should never of investigated,' Edgar thought regretfully.

"So, Mr Cipher. Can you please tell us the reason you were spying on us?" Layton asked firmly.

Edgar had no choice. He was caught.

He could run, but what's the point. He could deny it but, again, there's no point.

He looked at each of his persecutors. Layton's stern face, Emmy's aggressive glare, Luke's hurt expression.

There is only one thing Edgar could do.

"Well, Professor Layton. I see that Detective Grosky was right about you," Edgar stated with an impressed smile.

He lied.

This startled the group, there were not expecting him to say that.

Layton recovered from Edgar's sudden change in attitude first.

"I'm sorry, I..." He started before Edgar cut him off.

"Shhh, come in closer. We can't let anyone overhear," Edgar ushered the trio back into their seats, now closer together.

"Since you insist on blowing my cover, I guess I have to let you guys know," Edgar told them, gaining even more confused looks.

"Blowing your cover?" Luke asked curiously.

Edgar grinned.

"Of course. My name is Edgar Cipher, trainee investigator at Scotland Yard working under Detective Grosky. I'm here undercover on behalf of Metropolitan Police Service to investigate the strange attacks," he told them confidently.

He pulled out of his pocket an I.D card proving his association to Scotland Yard. He 'acquired' this from Grosky's office and was saving it for a rainy day. Edgar internally congratulated himself for that.

"YOU'RE FROM..." Luke started to exclaim before Edgar gave him warning glare to keep his voice down, "Sorry. You're from Scotland Yard?" Luke continued.

"Aren't you a bit young for Police work?" Emmy sceptically asked.

"I use a punishing face cream," Edgar sarcastically retorted.

Layton coughed to get his attention.

"You have been undercover under orders by Scotland Yard, am I correct," Layton clarified.

Edgar put the I.D card back into his jacket pocket.

"Yep, I'm not quite sure you've noticed, but the Misthallery police are not really keen with interference from London. So, they sent me. I'm only just an apprentice, so the police here won't recognise me," Edgar explained as if he didn't make it all up on the spot.

"I see," Layton said leaning back onto the sofa, "I wasn't aware Scotland Yard was investigating here."

"The whole thing is pretty hush hush. How do you think the media is going to react that the Yard, instead of dealing with the many different crimes in London, is going monster hunting in the country," Edgar explained.

"The reason why I was spying on your conversation is because I wasn't informed about your arrival. I was just trying to check to see you two, especially her,-" Emmy frowned, "-aren't causing any trouble. Then I listened to your conversation with Luke and here we are."

The professor stared at him quizzically. Edgar stared back.

Edgar maintained his smile, but internally he was panicking. If the professor noticed some damaged flowers, he would definitely noticed this lie.

After a while, Layton spoke again.

"I see. Well that explains it," he said, surprising Edgar.

"It does?" Luke and Emmy asked at the same time.

'It does,' Edgar deadpanned internally.

"Indeed, our arrival was rather sudden. I do apologise for interrupting your investigation," Layton apologised.

Edgar honestly didn't know what to make of this guy.

"It's quite alright, no harm done. Well since that's all cleared up, I must get go-," Edgar started to say getting up from his sofa.

"Actually, Mr. Cipher," Layton interrupted.

'OH FOR FU-' Edgar exclaimed in his head.

"Yes?" Edgar asked politely.

Layton gave Edgar a calm smile.

"May I offer a proposition?" He asked.


Paddy's Restaurant

Edgar placed his cutlery down on his plate signalling he was finished with his meal.

"Thank you, Paddy. That was wonderful as always," Edgar thanked a tall man in his thirties with sandy blond hair and wearing a chefs outfit and hat.

"I quite agree, the lamb was superb," Emmy cheerfully chirped from her side of the table.

Edgar, Layton, Emmy and Luke had just finished a meal cooked by Paddy and were about to set off to stake out the Spectre.

Honestly, Edgar would of preferred to eat without his companions, but his hands were tied.

The professor proposed a collaboration between Edgar and the Layton party to solve the mystery of the Spectre. Edgar would have denied the help, but it would of looked suspicious. He should of left them alone and now his tangled up in their mess.

Luke didn't mind letting Edgar join, but Emmy... well let's just say she wasn't too pleased with this development. She reluctantly agreed after Layton didn't back down, but she clearly warned (-ahem- threatened -ahem-) that she'll be watching him like a hawk. Edgar may have made a snide remarked about not watching too closely or else people would think she was a pervert. The situation would of gotten significantly worse if Layton didn't step in.

After renting a room at the hotel, Layton suggest that Luke should take the group on a tour of the Middle Town and he reluctantly complied. Edgar guessed he was still nervous about the Spectre so during the tour Edgar used every opportunity to cheer him up.

He told jokes, challenged him with puzzles, he even convinced him to a race through the woodland. This seem to cheer Luke up a bit and he even smiled a couple of times. Layton appreciated that Edgar was helping Luke, even Emmy joined in on the fun. Although she was still very weary of Edgar.

As far as Edgar knew, Luke didn't have any siblings so Edgar took up the roll of his older brother.

It felt nice to be a brother.

Again.

As the sun started to set, the group decided to have dinner before going back to their hotel room.

After a meal of lamb and potatoes, the gang left the restaurant and step into the cold Misthallery night.

"The fog is getting thicker. Does this mean the Spectre is close?" Emmy asked.

She was right. The fog was so thick Edgar could barely see a foot in front of him.

"Quickly," the professor ordered, "let's get back to the hotel."

They stuck together closely, not wanting to get lost in the in the fog.

One thing was nagging at Edgar's mind for a while now, so while Layton and Luke led the pack, Edgar lagged behind to talk to Emmy.

"So," Edgar started earning a curious glare from the brunette.

"Why do I get the feeling the monster is not the only thing on Luke's mind?" Edgar inquired.

Emmy sighed, "Well not like this is any of your business, but when Luke and his father are not on the best of terms. The Spectre has really driven a wedge between them."

Edgar remained silently, reflecting over that information.

"Something's not right about Clark and I think Luke can sense that," Edgar admitted after a while.

"What do you mean?" Emmy asked, no longer glaring at him, but generally curious.

"I don't know," Edgar said shoving his hands in his pockets to keep them warm, "just a feeling I have."

Emmy looked at him then towards Luke also concerned.

Edgar decided to change the subject.

"So the prof's assistant, how did you get that gig?" Edgar asked causing a proud smile to spread across her face.

"With determination and spirit. The professor recognised my genius and hired me on the spot. I'm the first assistant the professor has ever had and I will not disappoint him," she declared boastingly with a broad smile.

"How long have you had the job, then?" Edgar inquired.

Emmy's proud smile dropped slightly.

"Err well. Since this morning," She mumbled, but Edgar heard it.

"Wait. You've only been an assistant for less than 24 hours," Edgar stated on the cusp of laughing.

"When did he have time to interview you if was travelling to Misthallery? What did you do, jump in front of his car and forced him to stop?" he joked.

Edgar looked at Emmy and saw her sheepish face. He saw a great opportunity to tease her.

"Oh I see. Not only are you a pervert, but a stalker as well," Edgar grinned, but ducked immediately as Emmy tried to punch him.

She kept on trying to punch and kick him, but he kept on dodging with ease whilst laughing.

"I...am...not...a...pervert...or...a...stalker," she declared through gritted teeth chasing Edgar in the foggy street.

Layton glanced behind him seeing his furious assistant chasing the trainee detective childishly.

'Teenagers,' he sighed internally, as he continued his trek back the hotel whilst making sure Luke doesn't look behind.

After a couple of minutes of cat and mouse chasing, Emmy had managed to trap Edgar in front of one of the houses.

"Why must you insist in making me angry all the time?" asked an enraged Emmy, giving him an intense glare and a snarl.

Edgar gave his signature smile and leaned in close to Emmy's face. She was slightly startled by this action.

"Because, I think you look cute when you're angry," he said with a wink.

This caused Emmy to blush and stutter as she pulled back a bit.

Seeing an opportunity, Edgar escaped from Emmy's trap and ran towards the hotel and the others.

Emmy recovered almost immediate after Edgar escaped (although with still a noticeable blush) and ran after him.

Edgar wasn't lying to escape though.

He genuinely thought she looked cute when she was angry.


The Hotel

It was the dead of night. Ely Street is completely deserted of any life. The only light source illuminating the streets are the dimly lit streetlights and one room on the top floor of the hotel.

At the window of the room, Luke stared out with his head resting on his arms. Edgar didn't need to see his face to know that Luke was nervous.

The room itself was comfortable, with a large bed, a couple of armchairs, and a coffee table.

Edgar was lying on the bed with his shoes and jacket off trying to get some sleep after a long complicated day. He has gone from doing a simple errand to monster hunting whilst impersonating a Scotland Yard detective.

It's days like these that he should of stay in bed.

After telling off Edgar and Emmy for fighting childishly during an important investigation, the professor, after saying goodnight to Joe, volunteered for first watch from their hotel room. The room had a perfect view of the street and the canal alongside it. However, the fog has gotten thicker and was hard to see anything clearly.

A few hours had passed and now Luke was taking his turn as lookout while Layton sipped a cup of tea.

Layton stood up and went up to look by the window.

"Well, what do you think, Luke?" he asked, "Do you see anything yet?"

"No, nothing," the young boy replied tiredly, after which he gave a small yawn.

"I'm still having a tough time buying all of this," Emmy chipped in from the second hotel window, "It sounds like some scary bedtime story."

"Never heard of a bedtime story destroy an entire house before," Edgar piped up without opening his eyes.

Emmy ignored him as she was still angry with him getting her in trouble with the professor.

"Is this even possible?" she asked the professor.

"Well...we'll soon find out," Layton replied as he sat in his seat again.

"...And a poor little boy who predicts where the giant Spectre will appear," Emmy continued finding the situation ridiculous.

"This got Luke's attention before he turned back to the window.

"So, what now?" Emmy asked as she sat on the bed next to Edgar, "I mean, what if this thing never shows up?"

"You can start by being quiet for a couple of minutes," Edgar said from his side of the bed.

She turned angrily to face him.

"And what have you contributed. So far you have done nothing but make..."

"Shut up," Edgar ordered sitting up from his position.

"How dare you tell me to..." Emmy started to angrily shout before Edgar interrupted again.

"No seriously shut up and listen," he ordered again and this time Emmy listened.

They could hear it now more clearly.

It was music.

It sounded beautiful and gentle and sounded like it came from some sort of woodwind instrument.

The group stood up to investigate the music and Edgar put on his shoes.

"The flute..." Luke muttered, but Edgar heard him, "It must be..."

Suddenly a large thud was heard making the tea and the room's furniture shake.

Thud, thud, thud

It was getting louder and closer.

Something big was on its way.

The sound of something smashing outside caught their attention.

"Outside," Edgar ordered as the room occupants ran towards the window.

They all gasped when a large clawed hand coated in shadows picked up a lamppost and through it away.

The hand was attached to a large shadow-like body. It was much taller then the two story houses that surrounded it. The thing smashed its head against one of the buildings spreading dust and derbies all over the street. As it leaned up the group could see two antennas on its head, but what really caught their attention was the monster's red soulless eyes watching them.

"Bloody hell!?" Edgar cried out.

"What is that thing!?" Emmy shouted.

"Luke didn't say anything, but shrunk away in terror.

"Can this be..." Layton asked in shock of what he was see.

Emmy pulled out her camera, almost dropping it in the process, and took a couple of pictures.

The others watched in awe as the monster lifted its hand and brought it down on their position.

"GET DOWN!" Edgar shouted pushing Emmy out of the way of the attack.

The monster scratched the side of the hotel creating a huge amount of dust.

"I told you!" Luke screamed from where he fell on the floor, "This is it! The world is ending!" curling into a ball in freight.

The dust cleared up and Edgar helped Emmy up. He saw that the window was completely gone leaving a gaping hole on the side of the building. He also saw the thing move slowly away from the area.

"Let's go!" the professor ordered as he started to run out of the door, however he was caught by a frantic Luke.

"No please, you can't go out there!" Luke pleaded as he hung onto Layton's form.

Edgar and Emmy looked at each other in concern for Luke before the music from before started to play again.

"Where is that coming from!?" Emmy asked nobody in particular.

Edgar kneeled down beside Luke who was still holding onto Layton.

"Luke listen here," he said catching his attention, "I know you're scared right now, but nothing is going to get solved if we are panicking."

Luke sniffed and brushed a tear from his eye.

"Edgar is correct," Layton joined in, "we must keep a clear head at times like this. Do you understand?"

"Uh-huh," Luke replied.

Layton continued "We can only uncover the truth if we stay calm and remain rational."

"Do you think you can do that, mate?" Edgar finished reassuringly.

Luke's face grew determined and he nodded sharply.

"Good," Edgar said with a comforting smile and patted Luke's head.

"Well, come along gang we've," Edgar declared putting on his jacket and hat.

"We've got a Spectre to hunt."


The Streets of Middle Town

"For goodness sake! How could something so big disappear like that," Edgar muttered in despair.

Twenty minutes had passed since they left the hotel to pursue the Spectre, but by the time they reached the end of Ely Street it had vanished. Nothing was left, although the streets were wet for some reason. They decided to look around for any sign of the Spectre or where the music was coming from. They even asked the residents where the music was coming from with almost no results. What they did learn, according to one witness, was that the music sounded like an echo and it seemed to come from everywhere.

The team had decided to meet and gather on the bridge that led to the Upper Town to discuss what they learned so far.

"The Spectre's flute... it must be the Spectre's flute," Luke said frantically.

"The Spectre's flute?" Emmy inquired "what is that?"

Luke looked down and explained what he meant.

"The legend of the Spectre is Misthallery's oldest tale. Long ago, the villager's used a flute to call upon a Spectre to protect them from invaders."

"So if the Spectre does the bidding of whoever plays the flute..." Emmy started.

"Then someone is trying to destroy Misthallery!" Luke finished.

Edgar reflected on what Luke said during the attack.

"Is this what you meant when you said the world was ending?" Edgar asked with crossed arms and an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, it's all in the legend," Luke answered anxiously, "If the Spectre is ever used for impure motives, it shall unleash its wrath upon humanity. It will destroy all in its path, creating its own paradise."

'No wonder Luke was so scared of the Spectre,' Edgar thought, 'but something about this doesn't seem right.'

"I don't know," Emmy admitted "Something seems suspicious about this whole thing."

Luke frowned at what Emmy said.

"What do you mean, you saw it yourself. You all did," Luke said now slightly agitated.

"It pains me to say this," Edgar piped up gaining the other's attention "but I agree with Emmy. We don't know that it is the actual Spectre, but we do know that something very big and very dangerous is going around destroying things and needs to be stopped before somebody gets hurt," he said expressing his views.

"That was the Spectre! Why don't you believe me!?" Luke cried out offended by what his elders said.

"Oi!" Edgar shouted stopping Luke's rant, "it's not a matter of if we believe you or not. We just can't be too careless when with these things," he said in a much calmer tone of voice.

"Edgar is correct," Layton agreed, "we need to think of this in a rational way in order to solve this puzzle. Do you understand?" he asked Luke kindly.

Luke at each of his elders smiles before smiling himself.

"Ok, I understand," he said with a nod.

Edgar ruffled Luke's hair in a brotherly way.

"See we're not against you, so less of the attitude, alright?" Edgar told Luke kindly gaining a small smile from Luke and a chuckle from the others.

"But we lost the Spectre. Do we just wait for it to appear?" Emmy asked.

"Not at all," Layton replied raising his left hand and index finger upwards, "Let's take a look at what we already know. For now, we have plenty of clues concerning the Spectre's true nature right before us."

"We do?" Luke asked in surprise.

"Of course we do, Luke," Emmy declared confidently.

Edgar smirked at that.

"And would you care to enlighten us. Since you know all the clues," Edgar asked teasingly causing Emmy's confident smile to drop.

The others looked at Emmy to hear what she has to say.

"Err well um," Emmy stuttered while looking sheepish at being put on the spot.

"Terrific," Edgar sarcastically muttered.

"Oh and what have you discovered then," Emmy challenged aggressively.

Edgar gave her a mocking smile.

"Simple, footprints," he answered.

"Footprints? I didn't see any footprints," Luke asked in confusion.

"Precisely. A thing that big would have definitely have left footprints, but there are none. Is that what you mean, prof?" Edgar confidently shared with the group.

"You are quite right, Edgar. It may seem the Spectre was using the canals to travel," Layton agreed causing Emmy to cutely frown that Edgar showed he up.

"That might also explain why the streets were so wet, despite it not raining," Edgar added causing Layton to nod in agreement.

"And then there is the matter of that sound," Layton continued.

"That must have been the Spectre's flute, professor!" Emmy chipped in.

"No, there was something else. When the Spectre appeared, I heard a strange grunting, growling noise," the professor explained.

Edgar was, of course, too distracted by not wanting to be killed to notice any strange noises.

The professor continued, "I can't get make any certain conclusions about what we saw or heard. We still need more information. The biggest clue that we have right now is that music."

This caught Luke's attention.

"I heard something about an old, antique flute that was recently auctioned off in the black market," he added happy to contribute.

"And what? You think that might be the Spectre's flute?" Emmy asked.

"I don't... maybe," Luke admitted meekly.

"It's definitely worth investigating. What do you think, Edgar?" Layton asked the pseudo-detective.

Edgar smile and nodded.

"Sound's like a plan. Find the flute, find the Spectre," Edgar concluded.

Layton noticed how tired everybody was and thought it might be a good idea to go get some sleep.

"But right now, it's getting late. Let's return to the hotel and start fresh in the morning," Layton suggested causing the others to moan in agreement, too tired to form proper words.

The team headed back to the hotel and asked for different rooms as their previous one was to damaged.

They were all eager to continue their search for the black market and maybe the Spectre's flute.


Phew! That was the longest chapter I've written so far. A lot had happened. Hope you liked it.

Next time, the team look for the black market and meet a strange figure.