Chapter 1: A new Assistant
“Is the boy going to be alright? He isn't moving...”
“I don't know...I keep poking him with this stick and he doesn't respond...I'm scared”
“Excuse me sir and Madame, can I assess this situation?”
“Well, you’re gonna end up at the same con...oh! Professor Layton! Of course you can, I'll get out of your way now, sorry for being in your way.”
“No worries madam, I can tell you’re concerned for the boy and just wanted to make sure he was ok.”
“So...is he...alive?”
“Naturally, I can tell from here that he is breathing, he's just passed out and laying face down, we need to turn him over so he can get adequate breathing...there we go, he didn't weigh as much as his presence might suggest.”
“Ungh...must...not...give...up...”
“Hey, he's talking! He'll wake up soon, right Layton?
“Not necessarily, he's sleep talking, which suggests something traumatic happened before he either got knocked out or simply passed out, it could be several more hours before he wakes up, and even then, he might not have conscious record of what happened. What we need to do is one of us take him back to our residence and wait until he wakes up so we can...hmm? That's intriguing...”
“Huh? Did you see something Professor?”
“Indeed I did...Look at this; I found this in the boy's Pocket”
“Professor, it's just a note-card, what's so intriguing about it?”
“Ah, it's what is contained on this note-card that intrigues me, its a puzzle.”
Puzzle #001
20/20 Picarats
5+10=3
8+6=2
3+12=?
Following these rules, solve the third Equation
“Hmm...Well normally these are incorrect, but in one circumstance this is correct, and the answer is simple...the answer is three!”
“Wow, your as good as they say Professor!”
“I appreciate the compliment Madam, but I have technically seen this puzzle before, so solving it was simply a matter of memorization, but still, it intrigues me that he would have such a puzzle, so much in fact that I'll take him back to my residence and discuss some things with him when he wakes up...now first someone help me take him to the automobile.”
Several hours later...
My head was pounding, my back ached and I felt like I had got hit by a huge sledgehammer, and I didn't know why. All I remembered from the whole ordeal was being sucked into the DS, then nothing...I awoke, seeing myself in a small full size bed, like I was before the whole incident happened. I wondered to myself if it had all been a really bad dream, then I realized I was tucked in, like when a parent tucks their children in for the night. “Wow...this is really warm, must be an electric heating blanket in here or something...” I turn to my side to see a nice cup, like the ones you would typically pour tea in. Getting up, I reached over with my right hand and grabbed it, and it was obvious the tea was cold, but I drank it anyways. It was sweet, not sugary sweet, but something else in the tea was making it sweet, it was delicious nonetheless.
Something else caught my eye across the room on a table, it was a paper of sorts. I forced my way out of the warm and cozy bed to examine it.
McKneeway Speedway Stadium
The official opening of the new speedway stadium is happening at the outskirts of London, and you’re officially invited to see its grand opening. Our founder Matthew Martin has sent out 100 invitations across Europe and your one of the lucky few to get this! Experience food, fun, gambling, and the raw thrill of cars race around the track in search of that elusive victory! Also since you got this invitation, you get to come to McKneeway Speedway Stadium all you like for life! Sound like fun? The come on down to McKneeway Speedway Stadium!
©1980
“Well, this sounds like a nice place to go...though the copyright symbol is from thirty years ago...why is this here? That's a mystery I will find out soon enough, I suppose.” I worked my way out of the room, and into the hallway. It was a narrow hallway, a few doors populated it, including one door behind me, but on closer inspection it was locked. Another door went into a very nice looking bathroom, but I didn't have to go so I only took a quick peek into it. As I started to walk down the stairs into what appeared to be the living room I heard an all too familiar voice...
“Ah, it appears that you are awake, come down, sit, I apologize if the tea that I made for you earlier was cold, I didn't realize that you would be unconscious for so long, I'll go make a new batch of tea, so we can have something to drink when we discuss a matter of importance...”
“Professor Layton!...is that...really you?” I rush downstairs and confronted Layton as he was walking his way to the kitchen.
“Ah yes, I am indeed the genuine article boy. Are you doubting the hat?”
“No, of course not, I'm not doubting the great Professor Hershel Layton, I'm just kinda in a state of...shock to tell the truth here.
“Ah, I see, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make that tea that I promised, and after that we can discuss what is needed, and please, make yourself comfortable, its the least I can do.” I watched as he walked into the kitchen to make that pot of tea.
“Why am I here? How did I get here? What is there to discuss?” A lot of questions were floating through my head as I made my to the nearby couch in which to sit on while waiting for Layton. It was a particularly comfy couch, I wanted to lay down on it, but I remembered that this wasn't my house so it would be rude. I pondered more about the whole ordeal until Layton came in and graciously gave me a cup of tea, very gentlemanly like.
“Now your probably wondering why I brought you to my humble home and what exactly I'm talking about, and I assure you, all will be revealed here shortly.”
“Professor, I have one little question to ask before we start, and it involves this invitation letter that I found after waking up in the room I was in, or rather, where you placed me” I showed him the paper about the New Speedway track being built.
“Ah, so I see that you were observant enough to be intrigued by what most people would call a harmless piece of paper, however there is something that is a little...off about this invitation letter, can you spot what is wrong with this paper?
Puzzle 2: Spot it?
15/15 Picarats
Find the thing in this paper that makes this letter this letter not relevant to today, however, if you make a mistake I cannot award any picarats. Good luck.
“Professor, why are you giving me such an easy puzzle? Surely now you would give me something that actually has a challenge to it.”
“So it seems you know the answer, please, feel free to tell the answer, as your expression tells me you knew the answer as soon as I asked you the puzzle.”
“Indeed I did, the answer to this simple puzzle is at the bottom of the page, at the copyright portion. This copyright symbol is saying that McKneeway Speedway Stadium was established 30 years ago, so now it's most likely irrelevant to this day and age. Puzzle solved!” I pointed at him triumphantly as to get my point across.”
“Your reasoning is very sound, as that is exactly what is wrong with this Paper, and part of what I wanted to discuss to you about.” Professor Layton went on to pour himself another cup of tea and sip a little bit of it, while I was still on my first, I had almost forgotten about it, and gulped it down quickly, almost making me gag in the process, a stupid decision on my part.
“So...basically you planted this where I was, and were seeing whether I would take the time to observe and find this? Very clever Professor, I am rather impressed of you.”
“I can neither deny nor confirm that at which you have accused me of doing, however I can say that you have a very keen mind that if used properly could do a number of things, and solve many mysteries.” He took another sip of tea and placed it back on the little plate that was designed to hold it.
“So, what's so special about this Speedway Stadium? Considering that it's most likely not operational anymore, at least, I assume it's not. Also we never formally introduced ourselves, I feel kinda embarrassed for not introducing myself earlier.” I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment, as I had been talking to him for a whole five to ten minutes, and he hadn't even known who I was yet.
“Ah yes, a formal introduction, as you know, I'm Professor Hershel Layton, a Professor of archeology, and puzzle extraordinaire. My main claim to fame is solving mysteries around Europe, and at times have saved a location from a bad guy or saved a pretty young lady, though I can't say I do all that for the fame, I do it because it is my calling, after all.”
“My name is well...call me Q, my name is Qhj, yeah that is indeed a very peculiar name, but my parents were very peculiar about stuff like that. Anyways I am almost eighteen and enjoy the comfort of video games and puzzles as I watch the rest of my childhood pass by me. Now with the introductions out of the way you can continue about the Stadium's importance.”
“Indeed Q. Now the special thing about this Stadium is that even though it was about to have a fabulous grand opening, it never happened, in fact the Stadium was never used, despite all the funding that went into it.”
“That's...very odd, why would it suddenly never get used, when they had a big promotion about it and everything?”
“There were rumors, everything from alien abductions to the government shutting the place down before it could be used, but the most prevalent rumor of them was that the place wasn't really meant to be used, but really, it was going to be used to hide a treasure, which was said to be worth at least ten million, but anyone who tried to get it was cursed”
“Cursed? In what way?”
“It was never specifically specified what the curse did exactly, but when the cursed person went into their home village, the population would suddenly decline into nothing, suggesting that the curse spread over the city they lived in.”
“Did anybody from around here try to get whatever the treasure is?”
“Oh no, as soon as people in London found out about the rumor, everyone was too scared to even attempt to get it.”
“So in review, this item is supposedly cursed? Just like the ancient Egyptians would put curses on anyone who dared enter their tombs?”
“That's a good way of putting it I suppose. There is one more thing that makes this place even more peculiar though.”
“And what's that Professor?”
“I'll show you a news video that should clear up this up.” He proceeded to put a VHS tape into the player to show the news video.
McKneeway Speedway Stadium in use?
“Recently reports of the infamous McKneeway Speedway Stadium have been circulating that it has been used, some have claimed to see it light up at night, only to be completely empty the next day. At one point even the police were called in to investigate the place, only to discover that the place was surprisingly empty. This has lead to many speculations about how and why the place can be seemingly empty one time, and bustling another. Some have speculated it ties in with the rumor of a secret hidden treasure that is buried within the premises. More at 11”
“Now that's very odd....its like the place has an ability to transform or something, but still, why would an abandoned place like that even have activity anyways?”
“That's a good question, and unfortunately I cannot provide an answer to that just yet, however I suspect we will learn soon enough once we start investigating”
“...Wait, what do you mean we?” I was surprised by what he had just said, as it implied something very serious which despite me seeing, it still would shock me.
“And this is the second part of what I wanted to discuss with you. See, when I found you, I found something very intriguing, which is the reason why I brought you back with me.”
“Can I ask where exactly you did find and rescue me?”
“I found you near the bus stop, a little crowd of people had swarmed you, thinking you were dead, one even poked you with a stick. I quickly came in and told them that you were indeed alive, just passed out. Now back to what I was saying, I found this in your pocket.” He proceeds to show me a dirty note-card.
“! Is that a note-card? What does it have on it?
“Interestingly enough it has a puzzle inscribed on it, not a particularly challenging puzzle, seeing as I had seen the puzzle before on my travels, but a puzzle nonetheless.”
“Oh, that thing. I always carry it around and show it off to people to see if they can solve it, I'm glad you were able to solve it so easily, most people stare at it and haven't the foggiest idea of how to solve it. So, the reason you brought me of all people is because of this note-card?”
“In a sense yes, but also there was something about you, something that cannot be explained logically, I had a feeling that you would be a good puzzle solver and found it my personal goal to find out more about you and ask this very vital question.”
“And what's that?”
“Would you like to become my assistant?” The question struck me quickly Me? Being an assistant to the famous Professor Layton? Holy cow yes! Say yes!
“I...I would be honored to become your assistant Professor. Also, I'm going to assume our first mystery is the Stadium?
“Yes, our first assignment together will be solving the mystery of the Perilous Speedway.”
“It sounds like it's going to be a lot of hard work to solve this case, but fun as well.”
“That's the spirit Q, one must always have fun at what they do, now first, it's getting late, and we can discuss more about our plans tomorrow, so let's get some rest, as tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I don't want a tired assistant going around trying to solve puzzles.” He tipped his hat down and looked at he happily.
“Sounds like a good plan Professor.” I handed him my empty tea cup and plate as he proceeded to place them in the sink to be washed the next day.
“I'll be in the room right next to yours,doing some last minute work, so if you need me, you know where I am.” He proceeded to head upstairs, which I followed quickly, until we went on our separate ways.
“Goodnight Professor”
“Goodnight Assistant Q” I quickly went into my room, and despite being out for several hours, I was tired. It wasn't exactly what you would call a restful sleep though, as I had been forcefully put into a sleep-like state, so my body didn't have a chance to recover itself fully like it would if I had fell asleep naturally. As I thought about being the assistant to Professor Layton, I realized how much work it was going to be, ans Layton wanted no more than to get to the truth, and sometimes would overwork to get to that goal. The only thing was I didn't know what I was truly getting myself into, and that the McKneeway Speedway Stadium would hold a secret that was unlike anything that I or Layton would ever know...a secret that would change London forever....
No comments:
Post a Comment