So, I FINALLY got round to watching Les Miserables (Which I've been meaning to do for ages) and it reminded me of that brilliant crossover that several of the Layton fandom had come up with. There were a couple of great stories for it but sadly none had been completed so I thought, why not write one?
(Some of my character casts are different to some though)

This is likely to contain spoilers for most games

Disclaimer: I do not own either of the franchises

Chapter 1: Look Down

The waves crashed against the walls, the icy spray hitting the faces of those who stood there. The wreckage of the airship that had crashed into near the shore, The Bostonius, was a far heavier task than anyone had expected, the few that were newer to the work would cry out in pain each time the ropes they pulled grazed their hands, while the men who'd spend half of their lives doing it barely flinched. The similar dirt and unkempt hair brought on from the years of suffering made each prisoner near impossible to tell apart from one another, most probably couldn't even remember how they looked before their arrest.

Atop the walls, Inspector Jean Descole watched them with a keen eye, the black lenses of his mask giving no indication of contentment nor disgust. He spotted in the centre of the crowd the convict he was searching for, and he continued watching him as the prisoners were called away from the work. He swiftly moved down to where they walked in single file and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Prisoner 1919. Correct?" The other man turned to look at him, his weary eyes widening in surprise when he realised who he was faced with. He nodded quickly, wondering why he had been singled out. "Fetch that mast." He instructed, signalling to the large wooden post which had been thrown to the ground. The convict muttered something and waded through the water towards it, the rags we wore weighing him down. He bent down and hoisted the mast onto his shoulder with ease, the years as a slave had made this merely a basic task for him. The inspector studied him as he moved, noticing how easily he managed. When the prisoner returned back to his place, Descole looked him over and handed him a yellowed piece of parchment. "Now, 1919. It has been 19 years today since you were arrested. I assume you know what that means." The other man would have smiled if he weren't so exhausted.
"Yes. It means I'm free." Relief washed over him, this nightmare was finally over.
"No." Descole smirked at the man as he watched his spirit sink; they were always so unaware of the world's workings. "Follow down to the entrance to receive your itinerary, and remember to show them this badge. It warns you a dangerous man."

"I'm not a dangerous man; I only stole a loaf of bread. It was to save my brother's daughter. She was starving-"

"You've spent the last 19 winters a criminal. You'd better get used to it, because the title will stay with you until you die. Remember that 1919." The newly released prisoner glared at him, clenching the paper between his fingers.
"My name is Hershel Layton." He was no longer a slave to this inspector, and refused to be treated as one. The inspector to a step closer so that his mask was near enough touching Layton's face.
"And mine's Descole. Do not forget that. And do not forget me" He jabbed a finger at his chest. "1919." He swung around and began barking orders at the other workers, leaving Layton with his thoughts. He looked back at the crowds, as the inmates looked over in anger and jealousy, then made his way over to the entrance.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It had been weeks since Hershel had been released from his prison, but he was slowly learning that being free wasn't the same as having freedom. He'd been to workplace after workplace, but every time people saw his badge they turned him away, even when he was merely walking by their establishment. He wondered if this was to be his life now, just wandering between each hateful town until his death. That was until he came by the Puzzle shack.

The Puzzle shack was an old cottage on the outskirts of London, nobody knew who lived there but there were many rumours flying about, many impolite and wild rumours. That was the very reason why Hershel chose this as his place to stay, if the inhabitants were so isolated by the rest of the world, they would have no reason to hate someone like him. In fact, they'd probably welcome his company. And he was right.

The place was run by an elderly woman, who Hershel soon learned was named Granny Riddleton. She ushered him in and quickly placed a bowl of warm food on the table, along with a couple of puzzles to ease his mind. He wolfed down his meal, earning him several disapproving looks from Riddleton's granddaughter, while the old woman herself just smiled and offered him more.

He'd never be able to explain why he'd ever tried to commit a crime against her, when she was so forgiving to him. Yet away he ran in the middle of the night with a bag full of her silverware and golden hint coins. It was just a plan he had concocted after seeing all the kindness and warmth of the Puzzle shack, he wasn't ready to return to his cold penniless life back in the city. Two blank faced officers had dragged him back to the front doors and thrown him at Riddleton's feet, retelling his theft and insulting him.

"Mam, we've got your belongings here, had the nerve to say you gave him this. As if anyone would just give away hintcoins."

"Why yes. He's right Y'know." The woman smiled down and winked at Hershel. "But sonny boy, you left so soon that you forgot to take these as well." She picked up a small ornament from the mantelpiece, a golden apple, and handed it to him "You wouldn't wanna leave that one would you?" She grabbed Hershel under the arm and hoisted him upright. She opened the door to allow the officers to leave the house "This boy's done no wrong, so please, just let him be. I hope you have a fine evening sir." After the men were gone Hershel looked to her in confusion

"Why would you do that? When I've done you so wrong. It was truly ungentlemanly." Granny Riddleton laughed and patted him on the back.

"I know you meant well by it, so please, keep the treasures."

"Madam, if I can do anything for you-" She stopped him halfway and handed the bag of silverware back to him.

"All I ask is that you use them wisely" The woman smiled, blowing out the candles as she made her way out of the room . "See a higher cause in it."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Hershel sat in his bed chambers that night, he stared out the window into the darkness. His guilt had been forgotten by Granny Riddleton's kindness; if anyone else had seen him today, he'd have been back under Descole's glare pulling the Bostonius. He knew this was never going to happen again, that someone would actually help a criminal like him. The badge of Convict's, his past and even his name stopped him from even being treated as a human by anybody higher up than him. If he stayed living in this way, he'd die within a few days. It was time to be rid of his criminal past and become a person once again. Hershel pulled his coat on and ran out of the Puzzle shack. He stood there and yelled to the empty surroundings

"I'll escape now from this world, from the world of Hershel Layton!" He took the parchment he was given out of his coat and tore it to shreds, throwing it to the wind. He no longer lived that life, he whispered to himself. "A new story must begin."

Reviews would be very appreciated!
And the next chapter should hopefully be up soon as I've already written most of it.

I applaud anyone who can work out the reason behind Layton's Prison number.