Hello readers.

I would like to present the second arc to TPAOEC. This will actually be based on the film they made based on the games. It is arguably the best film made from a game ever (that is both an opinion and a fact).

Hope you enjoy.


The Puzzling Adventures Of Edgar Cipher:

The Eternal Diva

Chapter 1: A Letter from Janice

It had been a couple of months since Edgar last met Janice. According to Layton, she used to be a student of his before she left and became an opera singer.

Edgar lost count how many times he listened to Janice's record. It was beautiful. She had the most amazing voice. There is always one part of the song that really gets to Edgar emotionally because it was so beautiful. The first time he heard it, Edgar actually cried, but he would never admit it to anyone.

(A.N: If you were wondering what part I am referring to, you can listen to the song on YouTube. It's called Eternal Diva OST and the part starts at 5:07.)

Meanwhile, Layton has been keeping Edgar busy. Helping prepare for his lectures, tidying his office, watering the window boxes. Edgar wondered if this was actually legal for him to do this without pay. However, the alternative could be a prison sentence, so Edgar decided to keep his mouth shut.

At least, Layton's lectures were not boring.

He and Emmy had been getting on much better. They eat lunch together every day on the Gressenhellar grounds and talked about their day and exchanged snarky comments with each other.

Everything seemed to be normal.

That is until the day Layton received a letter.


Gressenheller University

Edgar was in Layton's office organising his messy shelf of small ornaments and miscellaneous objects.

"There," Edgar sighed as he placed a small statuette of some ancient goddess on the shelf.

He smiled to himself before reaching for his jacket he discarded over the sofa. Picking the jacket up, he swung it over his shoulder and-

SMASH!

Edgar looked down in horror as he saw the goddess statuette broken in half on the floor. He must of knocked it off with his jacket.

"Bugger," he muttered to himself as he inspected the ornament.

That's when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the office door. Looking around frantically, Edgar set his sight on the open window and chucked the ornament out of it before the door opened.

Edgar pretended to sort out the window box as Layton walked in with his lecture notes in his hand.

"Hey Prof," Edgar greeted cheerily, giving the window a cautious look before shutting it, "your post is on the coffee table."

"Hello to you, Edgar and thank you," Layton greeted warmly as he set his notes down on the table and picked up his post.

"How did the lecture on Mesopotamian cylinder seals go?" Edgar asked, sitting down on the sofa.

"Very well, thank you," Layton replied not looking up from his post, "I think you would of enjoyed it."

"What? Sitting in a stuffy classroom with uncomfortable seats next to snobby, know-it-alls and learning about a piece of rock with some writing on. I'm sure I will regret that in the near future," Edgar remarked sarcastically, earning a light chuckle from Layton as he read on letter addressed to him.

The light smile on Layton's face ebbed away as he read the letter; something Edgar picked up on.

"Something the matter?" Edgar asked with a raised eyebrow.

Layton looked up and showed him two tickets which were with the letter he was reading.

"It's from Janice," Layton told him.

Edgar blinked in surprise. He hadn't heard from her in ages.

"Is she alright? What does it say-"

"Professor," Emmy interrupted walking into the office, "isn't this your statue?" she asked raising the shattered remains of the ornament Edgar had discarded, "I found it outside, smashed to pieces."

Layton looked at the remains of the statue, then at the shelf where it previously been on. He then sent a stern glare at Edgar.

Edgar maintained a calm visage and looked at the at the statue remains in confusion.

"Huh, that's weird. How did it get out there, then?" Edgar said playing dumb.

Layton sighed.


Dear Professor,

I need your help.

Something astonishing has happened recently and I don't know who else to turn to.

Melina Whistler, a friend of mine who died last year, came to speak to me in a body of a seven year old girl. I know this sounds impossible, but the girl knows things only Melina and I know. When I asked how this was possible, she told me:

'I have been given the gift of eternal life, Janice.'

The meeting has left me stunned ever since.

That is why I request your assistance to solve this mystery and find the truth. Unfortunately, I am too busy to come and meet you in person. That is why I have enclosed in this letter two tickets to Oswald Whistler's new opera 'The Eternal Kingdom' at the Crown Petone theatre near Dover. I hope we can discuss matters of my performance.

I await your arrival eagerly.

Kind regards,

Janice Quatlane.


The Countryside

After reading it, Edgar placed the letter on the car seat next to him and gazed out the window, admiring the English countryside go by. Well, admiring it the best he could since Emmy was behind the wheel of Layton's car.

It would seem that she was as reckless in a car then she was on her scooter. Zooming down the country lanes and overtaking the cars in front. It is a wonder how they haven't crashed yet.

Layton was sitting shotgun reading a programme of the performance they were going to see, not at all bothered by Emmy's free spirited approach to driving.

Edgar tugged at the bow tie around his neck, feeling it dig into him. Emmy's first response to the case was to drag Edgar to every shop in London and find him a 'proper' thing to wear to it. Edgar didn't know why he had to wear a tuxedo at all since Layton was going in his normal attire, but Emmy didn't want to risk him being turned away at the door and embarrassing the Professor. Edgar eventually gave in and convinced himself that at least he would look presentable when he meets Janice again. Emmy wouldn't speak to him for half an hour after he mentioned that.

Getting bored of the scenery, Edgar decided to strike a conversation.

"So, eternal life, huh," Edgar started, "don't know why anyone would want that. Sounds kind of dull."

Emmy chuckled from the front, "I thought you would be in favour of staying young, Edgar," she observed.

"Nah, it seems a bit lonely to me. Living while everything and everyone around you eventually passes away. I think I'd rather live for one whole day with somebody I loved, then to live a lifetime of solitude," Edgar countered, he turned to Layton, "What do you think about this eternal life, Prof?"

"I don't know Edgar," Layton replied honestly, "but the key to all of this could be at the theatre we've been invited to."

Before Edgar could question further, Emmy interrupted him.

"Then let's hurry," she declared, pressing her foot on the accelerator, and overtaking the car in front.

Edgar smashed his head on the ceiling as she jumped on to the curb and preceded to be violently swung about as she swerved undertook another car. She eventually slowed down, and Edgar sat in his seat again.

"Bloody hell, Emmy!" Edgar shouted at Emmy who grinned in response, "did Helen Keller teach you to drive?"

Emmy chuckled, "You better get used to this sort of thing now that you're the Professor's apprentice," she said turning in her seat to give him a teasing smile.

"I'll be dead before I get used to your driving," Edgar shot back, "by the way, what happened to your voice?"

"My voice? What's wrong with it?" Emmy inquired.

"It's different. Posher and more annoying than usual. I honestly thought it couldn't get any posher or annoying then it already was."

Emmy gave him a glare in the rear view mirror, before she turned sharply making Edgar bang his head on the window.

Edgar grumbled as he rubbed the side of his head.

"Are we there yet?" he mumbled.

"Emmy, how is your research going?" Layton asked as he looked up from his programme.

Emmy frowned, "Well, it appears that is not only this girl who is talking about eternal life. London is full of rumours and stories. They say with enough money and the right connections, you could buy the gift of eternal life."

Edgar leaned forwards in his seat.

"I've got nothing from my old connections," he added, "what ever this is very hush hush."

Layton nodded, "Eternal life," he mused.

"So, what's so special about this opera?" Edgar asked leaning back in his seat.

"It is the first opera Oswald Whistler has written in…years," Emmy told him.

"Whistler," Edgar repeated, "any relation to our newly resurrected Melina Whistler?"

Layton passed him the programme he was reading.

"Melina was Oswald Whistlers' daughter," he informed as Edgar opened the first page.

In a neat type, the first page read:

'This opera is dedicated to my deceased daughter, Melina'

Underneath the message was a photo of Melina Whistler. She looked to be in her late teens with long blond hair, fair skin, and large bright eyes. She was smiling gently at the camera suggesting that it was taken a long time before she fell ill.

"Wow, she was beautiful," Edgar said under his breath as he gazed at her image for a couple of seconds.

Flipping a couple of pages in, Edgar's attention was caught on another image. Sadly, for Edgar, this image didn't contain any images of beautiful women, but instead it showed two men. One of which Edgar recognised as Dr Schrader and short, elderly man with a long white beard and a large nose. Edgar met him once before as Layton introduced the doctor to him. He used to be the professor's mentor and now a good friend of his.

The other man Edgar didn't know, but the name under the image showed that this was Oswald Whistler, the writer of the opera. He was a tall skinny man his fifties with fluffy, grey hair and sideburns. He wore a purple suit and a pair of round glasses perched on his nose.

The two men stood next to each other smiling at the camera. The doctor was presenting an old map which seemed to be showing a part of Cornwall, however the rest of the map had been cropped out of the image.

"Dr Shrader?" Edgar questioned, "Why is he in here?"

"The opera is based on the legend of Ambrosia, the Eternal Kingdom," Layton explained as they began to drive along the coast, the Channel now on their right, "Dr Shrader is an expert on Ambrosia, but the only proof he has ever found is part of an Ambrosia's seal. The kingdom is such a mystery, no one even know where it was."

As Layton was explaining Ambrosia, the theatre appeared in the distance. It was an odd building, built on the water and connected by a bridge to the mainland, the theatre looked like a medieval castle. It had white walls and towers all covered by a red tile roof. Emmy drove the car over the bridge and into a driveway. The front of the building was elegantly designed with Cypress trees and a large statue of a winged woman. Edgar didn't doubt the interior was just as grand on the outside as it was on the inside.

Emmy parked just outside the building and everybody got out the car. Edgar straightened his tuxedo out and inspected the crowds entering the building. Most of them were wearing suits and dresses, while others came in casual clothing much to Edgar's annoyance.

As he turned around to face Layton and Emmy, Edgar almost bumped into somebody. It was a girl about his age with blond hair tied in a plait, fair skin, and black eyes. She wore a school uniform consisting of a white shirt, a red tie and an orange skirt and had a large red bow in her hair.

"Sorry," Edgar apologised as he took a step back.

The girl hummed and wordlessly made her way to the theatre doors.

Edgar rolled his eyes, 'Rich kids,' he thought bitterly, 'still at least she was cute.'

He turned to Emmy who was taking photos of the building.

"So, what are you going to be doing when we're here?" Edgar asked, "having tea at the Ritz, having your maid polish your silverware…another thing posh people do in the free time."

Emmy rolled her eyes, "I'm actually going to be continuing my research back in London," she said as she put her camera back in her case.

Edgar looked towards Layton who was inspecting the building.

"Weird deign choice," Edgar remarked.

Layton nodded in agreement, "Perhaps it is supposed to represent Ambrosia," he suggested as the lights of the theatre started to flash on.

"I believe we need to take our seats," Layton said before turning to his assistant, "Goodbye Emmy. Good luck with the research."

Emmy smiled and gave a friendly wave.

"Goodbye," she said as she turned to face Edgar with a teasing smile, "Oh and Edgar, I heard it's a sad story so make sure you don't cry," she told him.

Edgar gave her deadpan look.

"I'm sure I can control myself," he shot back in a dull tone.


The Auditorium

Two Hours Later

Edgar tried to keep his sobs down as he watched the performance, with tears streaming down from his eyes.

What. He can cry at beautiful performances. He's not a robot.

The auditorium was grand, ornate, and accommodated at least 2,000 spectators. The show was much better than Edgar was expecting. The characters were dressed in togas and robes as if they were in an ancient civilisation. However, what was truly amazing was Janice.

Janice was wonderful as the queen of Ambrosia. She danced and sang in her ancient dress as if she was a goddess. Edgar was enraptured by the whole performance.

Layton looked over to Edgar, "Are you alright?" he whispered in concern.

Edgar wiped the tears from his face.

"What can't a guy enjoy an opera?" he shot back in a low voice.

Layton chuckled lightly before he pointed next to the stage.

"I wanted to point out that instrument over there," Layton whispered.

Edgar followed his finger to an odd-looking machine. The performance didn't have an orchestra, but instead all the music was performed on one instrument. It was tall, as big as a church organ and was played like one, however from the top of the instrument were a jumble of brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments. It looked like a bouquet, but instead of flowers there was assortment of trumpets, harps, and drums. Seated at its keyboard was Oswald Whistler in the flesh. To Edgar, the whole thing looked like a bit of an eyesore.

"That instrument is Oswald Whistler's new Detragan," Layton continued, "They say it plays music as rich as a whole orchestra and I must say it is very beautiful," he said closing his eyes to listen to the music of the Detragan.

"It certainly sounds better than it looks," Edgar remarked, "it looks like somebody paused an explosion in an instrument factory."

Edgar turned towards the stage again, "I think I much prefer Janice's singing, though."

As the teenager became enthralled in the opera once more, he recalled the story Layton told him when they entered the theatre.

The legend of Ambrosia and the beloved queen.


It was said that the kingdom was once ruled by beautiful queen who loved music above all else.

Janice danced on the stage, twirling elegantly, and singing beautifully.

The people of the kingdom adored their queen.

She began to dance with the other performers who were playing the people of Ambrosia.

Then one day she fell terribly ill.

A red light enveloped Janice as she swayed and fell to the ground. The other performers gathering around her in shock and despair.

Her people tried everything to save he, but they did not succeed.

Janice laid on an altar, mourners gathering around her. Eventually the light illuminating her shut off showing the queen's death.

The queen died just as a remedy was discovered.

A masked performer came on stage and lifted a bottle of a clear liquid. The other performers wept at the sight.

The Elixir of Eternal Life.

As the light shone on the bottle, Edgar could have sworn he heard some light gasps from the audience.

The people mourned their queen they failed to save.

The performers mourned on the stage. In misery of their unfortunate turn of events.

They decided to drink the Elixir of Eternal Life.

The performers were now in robes and beaked masks. They each held a bottle contain the Elixir of Life.

They will live forever and wait for their queen to be returned, reborn.

They simultaneously drunk from the bottle and bowed their heads as the lights went down.

There are those who believe that Ambrosia still exists hidden somewhere for their queen to return, but nobody knows the truth,

And the kingdom has never been found.


It was Janice' grand finale now. A spotlight shone on the centre of stage where Janice was raised up though the stage. She delivered her final note and the music drifted to an elegant close.

The spotlight turned off and the house lights turned on, indicating the end of the performance.

Edgar didn't think, just acted. He rose sharply to his feet and started to applause. Layton not far behind him.

"AMAZING! THAT WAS BRILLAINT! BRAV-" he stopped as he heard his claps echo back to him.

Confused, Edgar and Layton turned around to see that none of the audience were applauding. In fact, some of them looked bored while others gave unenthusiastic claps.

Was Edgar missing something? Sure, he's never been to an opera before, but he knows when a performance is over. Do posh people not applaud at operas or something?

He turned to Layton with a bemused expression. Layton returned one of his own. There was definitely something wrong.

Suddenly, the house lights turned off, plunging the auditorium into darkness once more. Edgar looked around once more. He saw the silhouettes of the audience start to fidget in excitement and heard impatient chatter.

It was at that moment that he and Layton decided to retake their seats.

The spotlight turned on again, revealing a different person. He wore a white beaked mask with black circles for eyes, a suit and coat tails and a black tricorn hat with a red feather poking out of it.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the mysterious man declared, "welcome to my theatre, the Crown Petone," he said taking a deep bow.

The masked man moved oddly as he spoke. His movements were fluid but lacked any effort behind it. It was almost as if somebody was controlling him like a puppet on a string.

"You are truly fortunate, for tonight you will witness a miracle," he continued.

That's when the audience applauded. Some shouted bravos, while others sighed in relief. Edgar even heard somebody say 'finally'.

"As was promised when you purchased your tickets," the masked man continued, "Tonight, one person from the audience gathered here will receive: a gift of eternal life."

"What?" Edgar muttered in confusion.

"It would seem that we were the only one who didn't know about this, Edgar," Layton mused.

"However," the masked man said, "there is one condition…"

The audience started to mutter as he said that.

"…all of you gathered here are going to play a little game. The rules are simple. The prize for the lucky winner…eternal life. But those of you who lose, will lose… your lives," he declared plainly.

The audience members gasped in shock. Obviously, they had no idea that they had to work for it. Which is rather typical of the bourgeoisie.

The audience members began to murmur in contemplation. Some members decided to go along with the game, their desire for eternal life outweighing their own personal safety.

Most of the audience, however, began to panic.

Edgar heard one woman further back in the audience get up from her chair.

"This is terrible," she shouted in a Scottish accent, "let me through," she said frantically as she pushed others out of the way to get to the door.

Other members followed suit and soon enough the aisle began to be filled with panicked audience members trying to climb over each other to get out the auditorium.

However, the people at the front were stopped by a team of robbed figures who Edgar recognised from the performance. The figures tore off their robes to reveal that they were wearing a black uniform and an identical mask to the one onstage.

Edgar expected them to start attacking the audience, but something more surprising happened. The floor of the aisle opened up underneath the panicked mob and they all fell into dark depths underneath the auditorium. They only gave a frightened shout before they all fell in. Some managed to cling on to the side and climb up again, but at least two hundred people were trapped as the aisle floor closed again.

Edgar and Layton stared at the scene in horror, not knowing what to do.

This is the start of Layton's and Edgar's adventure as they try to survive these deadly games.

Will they succeed?

Will they solve the case?

Will they figure out the secret of eternal life?

Edgar could only do one thing as he turned to Layton with humour filled smile.

"Now this is what I call audience participation," Edgar quipped.

Layton gave him a sharp look.


And that's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the Eternal Diva.

It was actually quite tough writing this. Maybe because I'm using the movie on YouTube as a reference. BTW, a big shout out the person who uploaded the entire film onto YouTube in English and in full screen. You are a saint.

The hardest part of all was describing Detragan. The creators just had to make the hardest thing to describe in all animated history. If you are still confused of what it looks like, then I'm sorry and I'm pretty sure you can find one on Google Images.

Please follow and leave a review and I'll see you next time.

Thanks :)