Chapter 1 - The City of Machines and Mistakes

"After three days of uncomfortable traveling, the train finally pulled into the station. The hot summer air filled the cabin as it came to a stop.

"We're finally here!" Flora squealed, her eyes lighting up at the sights around her.

"Yeah, we are-OUCH!" Luke sat up and bumped his head on the shelf above him. Flora let out a small giggle before covering it up as a cough.

"Now come on you two, get your luggage all set up." Layton said, as calm and proper as ever. After they grabbed their bags, Luke pushed open the heavy wooden door and the group walked out of the train. They waved goodbye to Mrs. Davis and Mr. Davis in Cabin 4 and ignored grumpy old Mr. Fields in Cabin 2. They thanked the staff as they got off of the train.

"We hope to see you again soon!" the attendant gleamed, her stiff suit preventing her from doing any movements besides standing. Flora glanced at her for one moment before catching up with Luke and Layton.

"I wonder if I could cut my hair like that." she dreamed, imagining herself with shorter hair.

"Perhaps not today but maybe another time?" Layton lifted his hat's brim up. "Now where is our cab driver..." he looked around.

"Cab Driver?" Luke asked confused. "When did we get a cab?"
"What's a cab exactly?" Flora looked around. "I've only heard about them vaguely."

"Well, It's like a hired driver who you can pay to take you places." Luke explained. "We haven't needed one for our last missions, why now professor?"

"Charles lives quite far away and walking in this heat wouldn't be a wise choice." Layton noticed a short balding man walking towards them. "Excuse me!" he started.

"Eh?" the balding man looked up. "Are you..." he opened a small leather notebook. "Professor Hershel Layton?"

"Indeed I am. Are you our driver for today?" he confirmed.

"Yep. The name's Archie or better known as the best cab driver in all of England." he puffed out his chest causing the small purple tie to jump up.

"Woah, the best?" Flora gasped. "How wonderful!" her warm smile made Archie feel even more better about himself, not that it was a good thing.

"Yep. I've driven the queen, celebrities, politicians, and more!" his eyes almost glowed from how excited he was.

"How wonderful, can you believe it you guys?!" Flora turned back to them.

"Well that's quite something alright." Luke gasped. He wasn't 100% sure of this guy but he didn't know what else to think. He leaned into the professor. "Do you think this guy is telling the truth?" he asked.

"Hm." Layton said. "I'm not sure either but time will tell."

"Okay now where are you guys going?" Archie raised one of his furry brows.

"We would like to go to Barcrombe sir." Layton replied.

"BARCROMBE?!" Archie yelled but then said it again in a whisper. "Are you sure? Some weird stuff has been going down there." he gulped.

"We're not afraid!" Luke said before greatly regretting that decision. "W-well I mean-I'm sorry." he apologized. Archie was shocked for a moment before laughing.

"wh-AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" He laughed. "Don't worry kid." he stood up straight and flicked a tear away from his eye. "I like that in a man, bravery and humility." he winked. "Alright now let's go, can't be wasting too much time can we?"

"No sir!" Flora stated.

"I don't think you were supposed to answer that question Flora." Luke chided.

They walked through the hot station, outside to the town. Barcrombe could only be described by one word, detailed. Every building had at least one sort of contraption and cars were seen driving everywhere you looked. One shiny red sports car zoomed right past Flora, causing her to trip.

"Woah!" she cried before the professor caught her. "Be careful there Flora!" he helped her up on her feet. "Sorry professor." she dusted herself off.
"Hah! That's life for ya here." he grinned. "Welcome to Barcrombe."

The taxi was extremely hot and extremely long. It's likely that it wasn't that long but it did feel like that. Archie's yellow car had small beer cans tossed here and there and small newspaper's from weeks and weeks ago littered the back seat.

"Eh, sorry I haven't had time to clean it." he shrugged when they first got inside the car. The window's also squeaked when you rolled them down but the fresh air was nice even though it was just a little. Luke grabbed a random paper and looked through it.

"Professor! Isn't this Charles?" he asked, showing him the paper. There was a photo of a man showing off a suit of armor. His curly hair sticking up every which way and his small beard looked like it hadn't been taken care of in weeks.

"Huh, that is Charles." Layton looked at the photo throughly. "He didn't mention that he was in the paper."

"If you want to take home a pap' you can." Archie said, mouth full of food.

"Thank you sir." Layton readjusted his hat as the car bumped along. The buildings were not at all different from London's but that had a strange edge with the metal decorating their walls and windows. People wore slightly different attire as well, though Layton couldn't put his finger on what it was. Soon Archie turned on the radio as it's crunchy sound blasted through the car.

"Uegh." Archie grumbled as a cheesy pop song began to play. "Who's that?" Flora asked. "Huh? Oh that's Ruby Rogers. She's a new pop idol and everyone loves her." he rolled his eyes. "Personally I can't stand her but my daughter loves her so what can I do." he seemed to want to say more but didn't push onwards.

"Ruby..." Flora whispered while reading through a paper. "Hey look guys!" she said.

"What?" Luke looked over at her. Flora was holding a page open. The date titled was last week.

"Ruby Reed comes to England on her tour!" Flora read aloud, lifting the page to show Luke and Layton.

Luke looked at the paper in shock. "How..." he began but before he could finish Flora continued to read.

"This is what it says..."

RUBY REED COMES TO ENGLAND ON HER TOUR

Worldwide superstar Ruby Reed has come to England on her tour to "conquer the world with her music!"

She has stated "While I have finished spreading my music in the States, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Peru, and Argentina; I would like to go back to my roots by starting my European tour in England!" she has also shared the following dates and locations for her concert.

London, UK 9-10

Barcrombe, UK 9-12

Dropstone, UK 9-15

Luxenbell, UK 9-18

Liverpool, UK 9-21

Plymouth, UK 9-25

After these dates she will be leaving to go to France on her next tour. We also have an exclusive look at what outfits she we will wearing after spotting her in Miami Airport. (Find out more on page 3).

"And that's how it ends." Flora folded the paper up in her lap.

"Really? I wonder who she really is-" Luke was swiftly cut off by Archie's loud voice. "We're here! 2154 Milton Street!"