Professor Layton Hit the road, chapter 7
While Sam and Max were in America uncovering Momma Bosco machine and Harry, the rest of the group waited them at Barde's manor. « I hope Sam and Max avoid troubles. » Luke muttered.
« I hope so as well. » Emmy commented.
« I still can't believe those two can reach America in their car! » Arianna said shocked.
« Believe me kid. With that speed they can cross the bloody ocean. » Emmy complained, remembering her past experience with the dog and rabbit.
« Let us not think about that. Let's continue the investigation. » Layton then said.
« So, what are we looking for? » Claptrap asked.
« Perhaps we could uncover further reasons behind Mr. Barde's death. » Layton responded, before turning to Arianna. « If I may, Arianna, I remember you saying that people weren't fond of your father. »
« It's true. I really don't know what adults think. » Arianna responded.
« Yeah. We grown-ups are confusing, aren't we? » Emmy joked.
« While Sam and Max are in America, let's talk to some more people. » Layton then said.
« Great. More bloody talking. » Sniper complained.
« Say Luke…how many areas has the Spectre attacked? » Tony asked concerned to Luke.
« I don't actually remember them all off the top of my head, but I kept a record of all the locations the Spectre attacked. » Luke responded, before pulling out a notebook. He then handed it to Layton. « I was hoping it might come in handy someday. »
Layton was shocked at the sight. « I don't know what to say…. » the man said as he read through the pages alongside Emmy, Claptrap and Sniper.
« What? Is it no good? » Luke asked concerned.
« You kidding kid? It's amazing! Almost as organized as my notebook! » Emmy congratulated the kid, before caressing his head.
« This is wonderful data. This is the groundwork we need in order to make sound deductions. » Layton added. « The more information we gather and cross-reference, the greater chance of us finding the truth. »
« So it's helpful? » Luke asked cheerfully.
« You bet! » Emmy responded.
« Could use an ankle biter like you to organize my stuff. » Sniper commented.
« Good luck with your investigation. While I do realize now that I am no witch, I'm afraid that the local people will still address me as such, even if Tony explains the situation. » Arianna said.
« Hardly think you two and your limited capabilities could had been of any help. Come on folks! Let's Sherlock Holmes this s*it! » Claptrap then said.
Xxxxxxx
As the group reached the main plaza, they begun their questioning. « I knew that if there was trouble here, Chief Jakes would take care of it. He offered to pay for my hotel to make up for this Spectre stuff. » Maggie explained to Sniper.
« Police here surely knows how to throw money at all problems. » Sniper grumbled.
« Well, from where I came from, the police chief doesn't take time to help you! » Maggie responded.
« Wasting bloody time while he could search for the Spectre. » Sniper grumbled.
« Unless he's responsible for this whole mess! Think about it, he's trying to gain popularity among the populum! » Claptrap accused the man.
« I actually had a bit of problems getting here. I came here after I heard the story of the Golden Garden, but I got turned away. » Maggie continued.
« So, what then? » Claptrap asked.
« My friend and I took the back way over the mountains. The spectre appeared my first night here! The police actually sealed off the area, so I didn't really see it. » Maggie continued.
« So you've been stuck in this fog generator ever since? » Sniper asked.
« Well, I came all this way…plus, the police has been super kind. The spectre totally terrified my friend though. » Maggie responded.
« Goes to show who is the smartest of the two. » Claptrap commented, before Sniper laughed.
« You kidding? That thing is bloody ridiculous! » the Australian joked. No response from Luke, as he, Layton and Emmy were too busy asking questions to Otaki-san.
« The police chief here is some kind of supercop they call Third Eye. I saw a movie like that once. At the end of the movie, the cop just closed his eyes and smelled out the culprit. The cop was a dog. » Otaki explained.
« That's quite impressive…. for a canine police officer. » Layton commented.
« Yeah, well, some people use their skills to solve cases, some people use their skills to do their hair. The cops do seem to be good at guessing which areas are to evacuate, I'll give them that. » Otaki commented.
« Yeah. I wonder why. » Emmy said sarcastically. After that, the trio went to meet with Sniper and Claptrap.
« So, you lads found anything useful? » Sniper asked.
« I'm afraid not. I assume the same could be said about you lot? » Layton assumed.
« Nothing peculiar. Folks mentioned the Golden Garden a bunch of times, that's all. » Claptrap commented.
« That being said, I still haven't seen the dig site for the Golden Garden. » Layton then said.
« We're close if you would like to give it a look. » Luke explained.
« As an archaeologist, I find it hard to resist. » Layton responded.
« Sure why not! Might break the monotony. » Claptrap commented.
Xxxxxxx
As the group walked towards the dig site, several sink holes could be noticed. « Ok so the ground is sinking apparently….the hell is going on? » Claptrap asked confused.
« It's land subsidence. Since the "spectre" appeared, these sinkholes have been appearing around town. » Luke explained.
« Sinkholes and the probably fake spectre…...what could the relation be? » Layton pondered.
« What if the one responsible is trying to dig out the Golden Garden? » Charlie proposed.
« A very likely reason. In the meantime, let's talk to that gentleman over there. » Layton said, as he pointed at a man wearing a blue sweater and brown pants with a light blue scarf and pale-yellow hat.
Xxxxxxx
As the group walked forward, the man greeted them. « Hey. I'm Dugan. I'm on the dig team for the Golden Garden. » the man, Dugan, introduced himself.
« Don't really see any other wackjob around here. » Sniper commented.
« Yeah. I guess now it's not so much a dig team as it is just a "dig." Everyone pretty much gave up. » Dugan explained.
« Things haven't gone well? » Layton asked.
« If you go to the dig site, you'll see. I'm still doing what I can…which isn't much. » Dugan responded.
« You think the Golden Garden is here? » Emmy asked.
« All I can say is that we dig up pretty deep…and found nothing. No evidence of an ancient civilization…Nothing. Some stories suggest that the Golden Garden is much older than civilization as we know it. » Dugan responded.
« Even older than New Zealand? » Sniper asked incredulous.
« Yes. Even older than the lost continent of New Zealand itself. » Dugan responded.
« There must be several water sources down there as well. Do you think the garden is below them? » Layton asked.
« That is indeed one possibility. You think we didn't go deep enough, eh? » Dugan responded.
« Not at all, but I'm interested in the search. Are you an archaeologist? » Layton asked.
« No, no. I'm just…. you know…. a digger. My intuition says not to give up just yet, though. » Dugan responded.
« So technically you don't have a licence, huh? » Claptrap threatened the man.
« Actually, I do. » Dugan responded before pulling out a piece of paper.
« Oh. Never mind! » Claptrap responded.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group reached the dig site. « Just as Dugan said, it looks like they haven't turned up anything. » Layton commented.
« What makes you say that? » Luke asked curious.
« I can tell from the exposed strata here, see? Actually, your father is quite the geologist expert. » Layton explained.
« My father? Really? » Luke asked.
« Clark excelled at identifying organisms in strata such as this. He never told you about that? » Layton explained, before turning to Luke, the latter's eyes turning down sadly.
« My father has been so busy with the town that we haven't spoken much recently. He seems like a completely different person since he become the mayor. » the boy said. « I think maybe my mum left because she couldn't deal with him anymore. I bet it's all because of that jerk with those hypnosis glasses Sam and Max told us about! »
« Luke, like I said to Arianna….we grown-ups are a bit of a mess. » Emmy rubbed the boy shoulders.
« That being said, Clark was indeed acting strangely. When did you notice this change in behaviour in your father? » Layton asked.
« When he became mayor. Right before the Spectre appeared. » Luke explained.
« Hate to break it to ya kid, but I think your father is a bit too much involved in this to be hypnotized. » Claptrap commented.
« What do you mea- » Luke asked, before interrupting himself, realizing what Claptrap meant, his face turning angry. « No! My real father would do nothing so evil! He's being controlled! I'm sure of it! »
« Everything seems to be pointing at the bastard! In fact, little fun note: when Barde died, in his dying will he wrote that daddy was going to be the mayor! » Claptrap exclaimed.
« He killed bloody Barde, became Mayor and then started to use the Spectre to dig up the Golden Garden! Why else the bastard wouldn't ask for government aid!? He the one behind the whole mess! » Sniper joined the accusation.
« Would also explain why he doesn't seem to speak much with you or act his usual self. He's filled with regret! » Claptrap added.
« We cannot draw any immediate conclusion. Perhaps Clark has been manipulated in these acts and everything that happened has been a cover up against the real culprit. » Layton defended his friend.
« Then who's bloody responsible!? » Sniper protested.
« As I said, we cannot draw any conclusions at the moment. We must be rational if we're to solve this case. » Layton continued, before turning to Luke. « We'll get to the bottom of this. You believe us, don't you, Luke? »
« I believe you, Mr. Layton. And you too Miss Altava. I'm also starting to believe Sam, Max and Charlie. But you two? » Luke responded, before glaring at Sniper and Claptrap. « I really don't. »
« Welcome to the club, kiddo. » Emmy added.
A short silence followed, interrupted by Claptrap saying « F*ck you! ».
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group finally reached the library.
« How long should we wait for Sam and Max? Do you think they can even find the library? » Luke asked.
« Oh, I'm sure they'll have trouble finding the big, scary place with all the books. » Emmy replied.
« Hysterical. » was Claptrap response.
Suddenly, however, the group heard the sound of tires screeching, the sound of metal clashing, and the sound of trees falling outside of the library.
« What in the world…» Layton exclaimed, as he exited the building, only to see Sam's Desoto having collapsed several lamp posts, trees and various other structures.
« Sam! Max! What was that!?» Emmy scolded the two.
« Sorry Em. Not my fault Hoffman's Mosasaurs are particularly violent at this time of the year. » Max shot back.
« That and we might or might not had overestimated the brakes of the Desoto. » Sam added.
« So this is Misthallery? Man, where's all the fog? I feel like I've been lied to! » Momma Bosco complained.
« Meh. Could be worse, ya know? Could be raining. » Harry replied.
« Momma Bosco and Harry Moleman, I presume? » Layton asked.
« You bet. Nice hat you go there, man. » Momma Bosco complimented the man.
« I wish I had a top hat. » Harry added.
« I apologize for the trouble. But this may bring us a step closer in our investigation. » Layton said.
« And by the looks of things, it looks like we're gonna get some help in this investigation! » Sam exclaimed.
Suddenly, a police car emerged from nothing, parking at high speed near the library.
Emerging from said car were Grosky, Flint, Papierwaite and Yog-Soggoth. « Well, if it isn't old Layton of the Gressenheller! »
« Inspector Grosky, of the Yard! And…what I assume are more of Sam and Max's colleagues? » Layton greeted the man, looking at the other three confused, with particular attention for Yog-Soggoth.
In truth, everyone was starring at the creature.
« I can assure you, if you're able to stand witnessing my body, then there shall be no issues whatsoever. » Yog-Soggoth reassured the group.
« So you're the one Emmy has been helping! Not very sporting to keep that a secret, Emmy! » Grosky turned to Emmy.
« Why, I don't know what you're talking about, Inspector. » Emmy shrugged.
« Anyway, I heard there is some sort of giant spectre menacing this town! » Grosky exclaimed.
« Yes, it is quite a… situation. It sounds like Sam and Max have briefed you on some of the particulars, but allow me to fill in the details. Someone is attempting to use the identity of the spectre for some unknown reasons, destroying h parts of town with every appearance. However, I'm not yet certain who. » Layton explained.
« That so? Town looks untouched, if you ask me…» Flint noted.
« A spectre conspiracy?! This shall not stand! I, Grosky of the Yard, will help you in your investigation! I shall go to the Misthallery police chief and demand full cooperation! » Grosky exclaimed, as he headed off.
« Wait for me! There's heads to be bashed! » Flint added.
« As for me, if you don't mind, I have a reunion with Mr. Triton. He has some explanation to do for not answering my letters. » Papierwaite said, as he walked off.
« Hold on! I haven't told you everything yet! And there they go… » Layton tried to stop the group from heading off.
« Quite the excitable gentlemen. » Luke commented.
« Nah, they're more likely to be insane. » Max shrugged.
« Anyway, let me just assemble the baby maker. That way, we'll be able to bring back this Mr. Barde. It's hard enough for kids to grow up without a momma, let alone without any single parent! » Momma Bosco exclaimed.
« Anyway, off to desecrate Barde's grave and pick up his corpse! » Max exclaimed.
« Couldn't find a better way to phrase it, huh? » Emmy glared the rabbit.
« Whilst you…do that, I think we should go back to Clark's house. I have some things I'd like to ask…» Layton explained.
« You do that. With any luck, we'll be finally able to put an end to this spectre's reign of terror! » Sam declared.
« Without too much collaterals! » Max added.
In response, Emmy just gestured around the carnage the two had committed.
« You're no fun, Em. » Max complained.
Xxxxxxx
If you want to give me any suggestions for quotes and scenarios, just tell me in the reviews. I will also include characters both from the Sam and Max universe (Hit the Road, animated Series Telltale Episodes), alongside the universes of the chumps who participated in the Poker Night at the Inventory 1 and 2. Just tell me when you want them introduced!
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See you on the next chapter!