DISCLAIMER: Professor Layton and all the characters belong to Level5, not me! I only made up this story

AN: Please review to let me know what you think so far! It will be greatly appreciated!

Chapter One: Letters

It all started with a letter...

A letter from what was said to be the future, from a future Luke Triton. To save London from an evil future Hershel Layton, the Devil in a Top Hat. It was all a massive fraud, however, a hoax set up by Clive Dove, to seek revenge on those who took away his parents on one fateful day. None of that 'future' was actually real. Layton could never become a feared crime boss, bent on immense power. It was impossible for such a gentleman to ever turn away from that lifestyle...

Luke Triton, Number One apprentice to the Professor, left to America with his family. But thanks to the Postal Services, the two continued to keep in touch. The letters were written, with almost immediate replies returning between the best of friends. But over the span of three months, the letters he received became less detailed, and much shorter. Until eventually, Luke wasn't even receiving a reply. Luke had been so busy with school, that he always assumed that perhaps he was just busy at the University as well. Still he wrote to the professor, still awaiting a response.

Another month of a continuous flow of letters from America to London. One afternoon, Luke received a bulk of letters, all were his own, with a notice from the Post Office. It read, "...Due to an overflow of unread letters in the mailbox, they must be delivered back to the sender..." Luke was disheartened. Why wouldn't the Professah answer my letters? This upset the boy, and left him with a puzzle to solve on his own. Every puzzle has an answer...

Another month passed through, with no letters. That was until one Monday morning, Luke's father, Clark Triton brought a letter addressed to him. And after that letter, everything changed...

Luke Triton,

I hope this letter finds you well, as you now reside in America. As for me, I am in quite a predicament. You see, the London we know and love, has been thrown into absolute chaos. To complicate matters, the calamity does not take place in your time.
This may be difficult to believe, especially considering recent events, but I am writing to you from 10 years in the future.
Yes, this is quite familiar to you already, as you received a similar letter only months ago. That was a fraud, as you found out, but I can assure you that this time, everything that was told to you about that 'future' is truth. Except, as I regret to say it... it is much worse than it was made out to be then. This is the reason why the letter is now sent to you, rather than to the Professor, for I fear it may almost be too late.
I managed to purchase some tickets for your family to return to London. I know this is a lot to take in, but I will explain the rest soon. For now, I ask that we meet you when you arrive on Saturday, by the port.
It is of the utmost importance that you do not disregard this letter. You must take the next ship traveling to London. The safety of London and its residents, depends on you.

I look forward to seeing you again,
Luke Triton

Clark sat on the living room sofa, reading the morning news. In the corner, he saw his son, confused, running his hands through his hair. Assuming his expression was relating to a puzzle, hardly of mass importance, he inquired to him jokingly.

"Ah, is the Number 1 Apprentice of the Professor Hershel Layton having difficulties solving a puzzle?"

Luke had hardly noticed his father's presence there. He reread the letter sent to him multiple times, thinking over the possibility of his Professor, his best friend, truly causing mass chaos and destruction in the future.

Hearing his father's remark, he realized that although the puzzle was much larger than his father thought, he could help immensely. After all, he had always been close friends with the Professor for many years before Luke was even born, so he would definitely have something to say about the matter.

Luke handed the letter to him, briefly re-explaining the events which were mentioned: The Mystery of the Future London. The story behind Future Luke, or rather, Clive and how he had claimed the false future was reality. He even explained the situation of Claire Foley, the Professor's girlfriend, though he never really did understand the whole story. He described the rumors that the Professor worked his way from scientist Dimitri Allen, to become a feared crime boss. In charge of all the underground gangs, and especially the leader of a mafia-like group called "The Family"

"But that never really happened, and it never could!" Luke declared with the utmost faith in the of the Professor. But looking down at the words of his 'future self,' he began to doubt, "could it?"

Clark, now understanding the potential gravity of the situation, was concerned for his friend. It was difficult to believe that Hershel could perform such terrible acts, but one could never be too sure. With the right tools, someone with such a great intelligence could easily take over London.

"I don't think we should waste any time," Clark stated, collecting his things into a suitcase, "whether or not Hershel needs our help, we should still look into this and check up on him, after all, he is our friend."

Clark informed his wife, Brenda, all that had been discussed previously concerning the mysterious letter. They all packed and traveled back to London to investigate this mystery, hoping their dear friend is well. If he really did turn away from being a true gentleman, the damage he could bring upon London is too terrible to even imagine. What could ever cause the Professor to act that way?