Chapter 1-Mystere mysteries

As the shrill, echoing song of the cockerel filled the cool morning air, the sleepy village below immediately sparked into life, as if it had been bewitched to lie motionless for all eternity. The rising sun sat gently on the horizon, glimmering brightly like a gemstone of darkest amber and tinging the surrounding sky around it in a vivid array of scarlet shades melted into soft, light orange orbs. They were spread out widely around the sky, resembling the usually white clouds that hung in a permanent spot on the horizon. The light shone down in sparkling shafts upon the small thatched roofs of the many cottages that made up over half of the village, giving off a warm glow that spread from house to house like a raging fire, although this effect was quite the opposite and resulted in a more calming and beautiful picture.

Each of the cottages consisted of simple materials of painted wood, straw and hazel coloured bricks that flowed neatly through the whole village in a simultaneous pattern. A large bell tower stood in the centre of the village, now made out of mud coloured brown bricks piled neatly on top of each other, supporting a large clock that chimed dramatically in case the cockerel hadn't got its message across clearly enough. The grand clock was smothered in a glittering gold coating and each of the numbers were displayed by tiny figures rather than numerals to show the main atmosphere of the curious village that it watched over. The clock tower had recently been built from the rubble of the one that stood before it and positioned in the same spot to replace the terrifying tower, which had scared the villagers so much that they didn't dare to move an inch towards it.

The cobbled streets were now filling up with some of the residents of the village, who were starting to do their daily business and admiring the wonderful weather that nature had supplied them with for that day. The sweet scent of flowers was carried by the fresh breeze, sending cool breaths of nature into each of the residents' ears. The sky was swarming with birds of all colours and sizes, singing delightful tinkling melodies that warmed one's heart to hear them. Although it wasn't very large, St Mystere definitely had a curious and magical element to it and this was one of the most important properties that the village fortunately possessed. It had been like this for many years, being founded by the ancestors of the Reinhold family about two centuries ago. Reinhold Manor was the most beautiful and most intriguing of all of the buildings that stood in the village, housing a mystique and interesting atmosphere inside its four walls.

There was no way that anyone could miss it: The gardens stretched out for what seemed like miles, containing every known plant and flower that bloomed and blossomed in the glistening sunlight. The long blades of smooth grass offered a pleasant aroma of mint and freshly mown lawns. Birds filled every tree in the orchard, yet they hadn't taken a single delectable fruit from off of the braches, which was highly confusing; the fruit was so delicious that it would've been impossible to resist the urge to grab something whilst no one was looking. The grand steel doors led into the manor itself, standing in all of its splendour: every floor and surface was polished so well that you could easily see your own reflection in there, books lined the large library, the Reinhold family portraits still sat side by side in a loving atmosphere in their golden glinted frames, the velvet carpets were smooth and completely dust free and the winding staircase carried visitors to other rooms out of the many in the manor.

The parlour was the most impressive, with its crystal chandelier that supported gemstones and diamonds fastened to its silver chains, the scarlet sofa remained in its usual position and the gleaming glass window offered the best viewing point to catch a glimpse of the whole village and the surrounding landscape of blurred shades of green and emeralds that stretched even further beyond the village itself.


A tall beautiful woman was currently standing next to the large window, peering out of it and smiling proudly at the beauty and wonder of the entire village. Her large blue eyes blinked several times underneath all of her vivid shades of eye shadow as her ruby lips spread into a warm smile of contentment, making her cheeks appear darker than they were even though they were dressed in a bright coating of blusher. She patted her silky hazel strands with her soft palm, securing it into its high bun and straightened out her rosy dress so that it dropped smartly down to her ankles. She smiled once again, being in a pleasant mood with brightened spirits which was certainly something new.

The oaken doors creaked open as Lady Dahlia spun around on her high heels, making her gold earrings jingle rhythmically as she did so.

"Ah, Matthew," she purred in a silky tone as she addressed the short man, who was now bowing low to the floor, "it's nice to see you on this fine morning. How are the residents? What news do you bring?"

Matthew immediately finished his graceful gesture before standing alert, fiddling with his shirt collar nervously. His grey hair covered his whole head thoroughly as he moved his glasses closer to his face and straightened out his smart butler uniform, smiling back warmly at Lady Dahlia as he cleared his throat.

"Indeed, my lady-It is a fine day," he answered, feeling immensely relieved that she wasn't yelling at him like she usually did, "The residents are well and are enjoying this fine weather. As for news, I'm afraid I know of nothing that should concern you, my lady."

Dahlia raised her eyebrows slightly, but quickly regained her normal posture as she peered down at the grounds below her, sighing as she tapped her violet fingernails on a nearby table slowly.

"Thank you, Matthew," she responded softly, "where would Ramon and Simon be at this time of day?"

Matthew bowed once again as Dahlia ushered him to his feet sharply with a light frown of how he fussed over her like royalty constantly.

"Ramon is currently buying some more supplies for the garden," Matthew babbled, "Master Simon is taking a stroll down by the river at the moment and Gordon has been taken to Bruno for current repairs."

Dahlia closed her eyes in understanding and nodded slowly. Bruno used to work in the old tower that all of the villagers feared. Ever since the mystery of the Golden Apple, which had been solved by the ingenious Professor Hershel Layton of Gressenheller University, Bruno had revealed to all of the residents that they were in fact robots, so that the truth was known. They had been created to help look after the late Baron Augustus's daughter, Flora Reinhold, until she came of age and was found by someone worthy enough to be her guardian and that somebody had been Professor Layton.

The villagers continued working as long as the Reinhold fortune remained untouched by outsiders and Flora had asked for it to be left that way as a thank you to the villagers for looking after her, but the treasure had previously been moved to a new location in the village by Bruno in case outsiders still came looking for it. It was thanks to Flora's golden heart that they were still alive: Little sweet, golden Flora.

Dahlia sighed sadly; thinking of Flora made her heart ache with an unknown longing to see the girl she loved like a daughter again. They had spent so much time together when Flora was younger, even though she never particularly liked Lady Dahlia, but her caring feelings for Flora still burned though her body fiercely and knowing that she was happy made the ice surrounding her once bitter heart melt. Matthew sensed her emotions and stepped forwards anxiously.

"My…my lady?" he asked uncertainly, "is…there something worrying you?"

Dahlia answered with a sigh and nodded carefully as she advanced towards the sofa and sat down gently on it, relieving some of the pain that had been building up inside of her.

"I know that I shouldn't worry, but…I miss Flora…" she whispered in a cracked voice, "It's…it's her birthday in a few days and…I just wish that I could be there to wish her a good day. I never even got to tell Professor Layton how much I appreciated him solving the case, but…"

She trailed off as Matthew licked his lips and smiled weakly.

"Madam," he started assertively, "I know how you feel-we all miss young Flora, but…she is happy…and she hasn't forgotten about you either! In fact, I was just rummaging through the mail from the Town Hall and I found a letter addressed to you in Flora's handwriting. Why don't you take a look at it?"

Dahlia instantly sat up, a delightful sensation warming her heart as she blinked several times before smiling the widest that she had ever smiled in her life. Matthew was greatly shocked but he managed a beaming smile as he fumbled through his shirt pockets and pulled out a pink envelope, with an elegant royal scrawl addressing Lady Dahlia. She extended her hand shakily to receive the letter, trembling in her own excitement. Her heart gave a flutter of joy as she immediately recognised Flora's handwriting.

With quivering fingers, Dahlia unfolded the envelope and gently pulled out the fragile letter, being careful not to rip it as she spread it out on the table and held it up closely to her face so that she could see every word that was written on it. Matthew shuffled backwards uncertainly, so as to give his lady plenty of space to read the letter. She scanned it for several minutes, absorbing each sentence and its meaning like a sponge and defining every word several times so that she was one hundred per cent sure what it meant.

After she had finished the letter Dahlia sat frozen in her seat, bringing an unnerving silence into the room. A tear leaked out from her eyelid, causing her eye shadow to trickle down her face to show where she had been crying. She closed her eyes once again, clutching the letter to her heart like it was a priceless treasure. Matthew looked over at her, severely startled at her sudden change in character.

"My…my lady?" he stammered in shock when she refused to respond, "Lady Dahlia? Is everything al—"

"Oh, Matthew," she wept as she wiped away the makeup that stung her eyelids, "you have to listen to this; this letter is the message from an angel!"

Dahlia snivelled quietly as she held up the letter again and cleared her throat to read it aloud.


"'Dear Lady Dahlia and the rest of the residents of our curious village,

How are you lately? I've been thinking about you all so much. I hope that you are well and are happy. Please don't worry about me: I'm absolutely fine! I feel really happy now but I never ever forget those memories of when you used to play with me and cherish me when I was younger- how those times seem so long ago! It is a very puzzling matter indeed! Has the village changed much since I left? What about the tower and the Reinhold fortune? I was really happy to hear from you at last! It made me the happiest girl on the planet and that is no exaggeration! I miss you so much! I sometimes cry at night but the professor is as loving as you, so there is no need to worry. I live with him and his apprentice, Luke. We shared our first kiss several months ago! We get on very well together, although the professor does sometimes go on adventures without me but now the professor has let me come on every adventure he goes on and I love every minute of it! I've made some new friends: Emmy and Clive. They are both really sweet and I've also met Luke's parents too! Luke and I are great friends now!

I think back to those times when Papa told me of how he and Mother met. The professor is teaching me how to be a true lady and so far I think that I'm actually doing quite well. I'm learning my manners, being polite and also I'm learning puzzles! The professor and Luke have constantly been testing me and I solve almost all of them correctly! I have included one for you to try if you want to; I made it up myself and I know that you used to love puzzles too! It's my birthday soon: I'll be sixteen and I feel so grown up! Please take care and look after yourself, Dahlia. Also, could you please send my regards to Bruno, Matthew and the rest of the residents of St Mystere? Thank you very much. I would really like to visit you all soon. I'll ask the professor if I can come and visit soon. I can't wait to see you, Dahlia! I really can't! The professor and Luke also would like to send their wishes to you all too! I hope to hear from you soon

Love, Flora.'"


Dahlia finished, almost in tears again as even Matthew mopped at his eyes and smiled proudly.

"Young Flora is growing up!" he sobbed happily, blowing his nose as he held on to the envelope, "That was so sweet of her. I do hope that we can see her again soon and I'm so glad that she is happy with Professor Layton and his apprentice…Oh look! It seems that Professor Layton and his apprentice have put in a note too! Also, Flora has enclosed a puzzle for you to solve! That is very clever indeed!"

Dahlia smiled as she gently placed the letter down and stretched.

"I don't feel that I expressed my thanks to Professor Layton enough," she said, wiping the hair out of her eyes, "Please read them, Matthew."

Matthew obediently nodded and flicked through the pages until he found the correct notes. He cleared his throat and read them in a quiet voice as Lady Dahlia sat perched on the edge of the sofa, listening intently.


"'Dahlia,

Here's hoping that you're well and happy, as are the rest of St Mystere. It has been a while since we last spoke but I do hope to bring Flora on a visit soon. She has been desperately missing you and yes-she has turned into quite the puzzle genius! You should be very proud of her. Send my regards to everyone please and I hope to see you soon. Oh and thank you for the birthday surprise…I'm sure she'll love it!

Yours Sincerely, Professor Hershel Layton.


"That must be the Professor's note! How thoughtful of him! Oh and this one is from his Flora's new friend!"


"'To Lady Dahlia,

It's nice that you're keeping in touch with Flora! I hope that you and everyone at St Mystere are well. Flora is quite the lady and the best friend in the world! We all hope to hear from you soon!

Yours Sincerely, Luke", read Matthew, squinting as he failed to recognise some of the words in Luke's neat handwriting.


Dahlia smiled once again and folded her arms across her chest.

"How thoughtful of them and I'm so relieved that Flora has made some new friends-and some nice ones too!" she squealed excitedly.

A furry mass of silky white fur entered the room swiftly through the open door, meowingloudly and purring in a low pitch as it weaved in and out of Dahlia's legs. Dahlia looked down and smiled, picking up the furry feline and placing her gently on her lap, being careful so that her dress didn't get ruined or scratched. She patted the cat's head lovingly and tightened the violet ribbon that was still tied around her neck, making the cat wince a little in agitation.

"Oh, Claudia, my little baby!" cooed Dahlia as she rocked the cat back and forth, "Look what our little Flora has written for us! Isn't it sweet? She used to love you when you were a kitten!"

Claudia leant her head to the side, her ears scrunching up as she did so as she meowed in confusion.

Matthew opened his mouth to say something but decided that it would be better to stay quiet; he didn't want to hurt his lady's feelings. He knew as much as anyone that Claudia should actually be 'Claudius', as the cat was a boy, but Lady Dahlia had taken such a sweet liking to the name that she couldn't bear to call her little baby anything different. He never particularly liked the cat either way-'she' could be as a fierce as a tiger at times, although 'she' looked tame. Matthew was usually 'her' favourite victim to feel the stinging pain of 'her' sharp silver claws, but he was used to that by now. Matthew replaced his frown of uncertainty with a bland smile as Dahlia started grooming the cat with her long fingers.

"I say, would my lady like to try Flora's puzzle?" he asked, "The little dear has put so much work into it, I must say!"

Dahlia instantly forgot about Claudia and sat up straight with a dazzling smile on her face once again.

"Oh yes please, Matthew!" she squealed excitedly, "Let's see what the dear has done for me to solve then. It was a while back since I enjoyed solving puzzles, but I suppose that I could give it my best shot…"


Puzzle 1: Flower friends (40 picarats)

Three friends each have an unknown number of flowers each. To determine how many each person has, A, B and C have all given you one statement:

If B gave me 2 flowers I would have twice as many flowers as C!

If that was the case, then if I took all of C's flowers I would have the same number as A has now!

If A took one flower off of me, I would have a square number of flowers and half of what A has now!

Using the statements that the children have given you, can you work out how many flowers each person has and how many flowers there are all together between them?

(The answer is below. If you wish to solve this puzzle then just try your best-I can't get the answer down any further so just cover the bottom of the screen so that you don't see it. Get this right and you will have 40 picarats to start off with!)


"Well! Flora certainly has excelled in puzzles, just like the Professor! I suppose if I think hard…then…wait! I think that I have the answer!" Dahlia shouted triumphantly as Matthew looked on happily.

"The answer is on the back, my lady," he explained, "What do you think the answer is?"

"I think that A has eight flowers, B has three and C has five! That would mean that they all have sixteen flowers between them!"

Matthew jumped up and down with joy as he peered at the answer.

"That was word perfect for the answer, my lady!" he applauded as Claudia sat up in an immensely surprised mood with the noise that filled the room, "Just your type of puzzle too! With flowers and everything! Oh, how the dear has progressed!"

Dahlia smiled widely and thanked Flora under her breath for the beautiful puzzle and how it had really touched her heart. Since the mystery had been solved she had changed her personality completely, making her seem more human than robot.

There was a light knock at the door and Matthew quickly shuffled to answer it and smiled warmly as Ingrid hobbled inside, glancing constantly at Dahlia and rubbing her hands together to warm them up. Her snowy hair was secured underneath a large pointed hat and her glasses kept sliding down her nose and onto her puffed up cheeks that were as rosy as apples. She tugged at the scarf around her neck and advanced towards Dahlia, shaking in her frail old age with every step that she took. Dahlia slid off of the sofa and stepped forwards to greet her. Matthew was greatly shocked; Ingrid was usually so happy and bright, not dull and unhappy like she seemed today.

As if reading Matthew's thoughts, Dahlia bent down so that she was Ingrid's height and looked at her closely, frowning with worry.

"Whatever is the matter, Ingrid?" she asked carefully, "Why don't you look happy like you normally do? Is something the matter?"

Ingrid let out a timid squeak and shuffled even closer to Lady Dahlia.

"Oh, Lady Dahlia," she croaked in her wheezy voice, "It's…it's Bruno…he…he asked me….to…to come and find you because…he needs to….speak with you…Something isn't quite…right…"

Dahlia instantly got to her feet and patted the pensioner on her bent back to reassure her, before turning to Matthew, who immediately bowed to the floor as if reading her mind.

"Please stop doing that, Matthew!" she snapped, "You know that I'm exactly the same as all of the other residents of St Mystere!"

Matthew blushed and dabbed at his forehead.

"I'm dreadfully so….sorry, my lady," he faltered, still wiping his dripping forehead.

Dahlia's frown weakened as she glanced apologetically at the butler, who was only doing his job after all.

"It's okay, Matthew," she said in a softer tone, "I didn't mean to snap. You were doing your job after all I suppose. Anyway, I was going to ask if you could fetch my coat please: we're going to see Bruno, as he requests my presence."

"Of course, madam!" he said loudly as he rushed out of the room to get her coat.

Dahlia looked at Ingrid again, who had started to regain her usual colour, as she sighed.

"Well, at least it's a nice day. I could use some fresh air as I haven't been out of this manor for weeks!" Dahlia exclaimed as Ingrid shuffled her feet uncomfortably.

"You think it's a nice day, Dahlia?" she asked, pointing to the window.

Dahlia walked over to it and gasped in shock: where the sun and the bright horizon had been there now lay several beckoning, thick, dark clouds, stretching for miles across the sky and as black as the midnight sky itself. It was so dark that anyone could've actually mistaken it for midnight and Dahlia assumed that it was this that had confused Ingrid, but nethertheless, this sudden change of weather was…unnatural.

Dahlia almost screamed when she saw how much the weather had changed as all of the birds soared away back to their trees, chirping in fear of the darkness that beckoned. Dahlia threw up her hands in exasperation.

"What?! What on EARTH has happened to the glorious sunlight! It was the most beautiful place in the country a few minutes ago!"

Dahlia began pacing with worry as Matthew entered with her coat and with the same look of worry on his face.

"I take it that you have seen the sky?" he asked, shaking slightly, "You're not possibly going out in this weather! We could be in for an actual storm! You know what that does to us, don't you?!"

Dahlia took a deep breath before slowly prising her coat from the firm grip of the butler and wrapping it around her narrow shoulders, rushing down the staircase with Ingrid running swiftly behind her. Matthew ran after her, wheezing with the tiring exercise, as Dahlia flung open the doors and ran out into the cold dark land.

"I do, Matthew!" she yelled in response through the now howling wind, "Bruno requests my presence and it could be linked with this strange weather!"

Matthew almost jumped out of his skin as the wind tore through his ears, thinking that a werewolf was prowling the village. Leaping over the puddles and rowing across the river in the sturdy boat prepared for them, Dahlia continued her wild sprint across the lane and out into the main village of St Mystere. A large crowd of people were assembled in the village centre, constantly chattering with interest and fear about the unnatural weather conditions that they were receiving. Dahlia didn't let their gasps of shock at seeing her out of the manor for once distract her; she had to reach Bruno before something even worse happened…


"Lady Dahlia! Thank goodness you're here!" he spluttered as he coughed loudly, "Get inside quickly! You know what rain can do to you!"

Dahlia nodded solemnly before being ushered by Bruno into the clock tower, with Ingrid and Matthew right behind her. Dahlia leant against the cold brick walls and looked at Bruno pleadingly as he shook his head and looked at her with an extremely serious and determined look.

"I suppose that you're wondering what is happening with this unnatural weather?" he guessed, judging by the obvious look of concern on her face, "Well, I don't know what it is, but…"

He gestured to several still bodies heaped in a pile next to him as Dahlia gasped.

"The darkness is greatly affecting the robots! Several have just short circuited and are no longer working! I can't see any other reason why and I can't see any means of fixing them either! I simply don't know what to do!"

Dahlia's eyes widened as fear seemed to consume her. They had never experienced anything like this before. Dahlia began shaking as Matthew and Ingrid placed a hand to their mouths in unison.

"How…how long do you think that it will last?" asked Dahlia in a high pitched voice as the loud bang of thunder and heavy pattering of rain on the roofs told them that a storm had begun.

Bruno shook his head sadly and ran to the door.

"It could be days, weeks even! No one knows! The residents need to stay indoors, whilst I try to sort this problem out!" he announced clearly as he opened the door to warn the residents, but to his immense shock they were no longer where they stood: they were all running around, causing a huge commotion as they screamed in fear and worry, desperate to get away like animals trying to escape the hunters.

Bruno held up his hands as Dahlia, Matthew and Ingrid scurried to the doorway to join him, looking pale and blank.

"EVERYONE MUST GO HOME!" he bellowed over the raging wind that now sounded so loud that you had to shout to be heard, "STAY INDOORS AND DON'T—"

Bruno trailed off as a high pitched scream filled the air-the wind was hurling residents and even lampposts and trees around. A whirling cone shaped funnel reached the ground as several unfortunate residents thrashed wildly as the roaring monster consumed them in its swirling stomach. Bruno's heart hammered in his chest irregularly as he stared up with an uncontrollable fear as he forced Lady Dahlia, Ingrid and Matthew back into the clock tower.

Things were being hurled around like conkers in a gale and even a few cottages were swaying vigorously and only clinging onto the ground by the smallest fraction of an amount. Many of the residents were running for their homes in a mad frenzy, slamming and bolting their doors or being claimed by nature's fury as they tried. Bruno tried to get as many people into the clock tower as he could, risking his life for all of the robot ones which showed just how soft his heart was.

"IT'S A TORNADO!" he screeched, "GET INSIDE AND STAY THERE! YOU'LL BE SAFE IF YOU DO AS I SAY!"

A loud unmistakeable echo of piercing laughter instantly made the entire village silent with horror as a dark figure floated through the air, waving her arms around in all directions as the tornado became even fiercer, obviously under her power. The residents looked up horrified into the burning garnet eyes of the figure, her hair being whipped ferociously by the wind and several bright sparks of light emitting from her palms. The figure threw back her head and cackled mercilessly.

"Oh, I don't think so!" she sniggered evilly as more villagers were devoured by the beast, "No one will survive when I'm done with all of you! Are you all enjoying my little entertainment?"

Bruno took several steps back in horror, his own eyes blazing with fury as he stared up at the figure.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" he roared over the villagers' uproar, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! WHO ARE YOU?!"

The figure cackled even louder, now sending sparks of fire through the whole village that instantly burnt several cottages into hot black ash.

"I am the sorceress of Darkness!" she screeched in a high pitched tone, "Now all of you have become my latest prey! Take a good look at your village-because soon it will be your last!"

The tornado continued to rage as screams of terror filled the air as well as the maniacal laughter from the figure above. Bruno gasped in shock as Lady Dahlia ran around the village, trying to get as many of the residents as she could inside of the clock tower.

"LADY DAHLIA, GET INSIDE NOW!" Bruno shrieked as Matthew and Ingrid began hammering at the door in a frantic rush to reach her.

Screaming in fear, Dahlia managed to push the remaining residents that had survived into the clock tower before a burning jet of fire streaked towards her at the speed of light, forming a circle around her that prevented her from going anywhere. Dahlia coughed and spluttered as her eyes filled up with tears from the stinging smoke that burnt through her soul. Her whole body swayed and she collapsed on the ground, still and unmoving. Bruno let out a scream of warning, but that scream faded in Dahlia's ears as she lay unconscious upon the cobbled ground, with the flames licking the buildings as they continued to rage around her…

There's the first chapter! What did you think of the puzzle? What things could I improve on? Constructive feedback needed! Thank you for reading this first chapter! Level 5 owns Professor Layton and St Mystere! I don't! The OCs are my own, though. Oh and just a note-this mystery takes place about a year after the events of the mystery of stone-The Tritons have moved back to London and Luke has almost made a full recovery (such as the reference of Flora having her first kiss). Thank you again! Plant peace for the planet and see you around! Abitat Eco :) :) :) :) :) :)