[Hello, good people of Johto! It's been a quite a while to get an entry from this Pokegear! Man, can you even remember who it is? Here's a hint: it's from a man with a top hat! Picarats are 30!

If you guessed Hershel Layton, then you are correct! Add some picarats to your names! The Professor would love to do that himself, but he's a bit busy right now. Why? Well....

Professor Layton is stuck in an elevator...

...Oops...

Well, what has happened is that Layton has gone to the Goldenrod Department Store to buy a birthday gift for young Miles Edgeworth because it is just coming up this Sunday. It's always good to get an early start and buy it ahead of time so he can always package it neatly in a box, write a heartwarming card, prepare the party, and all that. So, there he is, trying to pick out gifts and he decides he should probably check what's on the fifth floor because maybe he can get Miles a TM with the large gift he has already gotten.

Thus, he decides to take the elevator because at that moment, he has been on the second floor. As much as exercise is nice, he's almost forty now and he's carrying quite a lot of bags. His thighs will probably burn from all those steps. So, he takes the elevator, presses the fifth floor's button and off he goes!

But then the elevator shakes and suddenly stops.

He nearly tumbles over and falls, but he manages to grab onto the wall to stop himself. He looks up to the elevator's indicator of floors and finds that both the third and fourth floors' lights are on...Does this mean he's stuck in between the floors?

...Oh dear...

And that's what leads him to here, sitting on the floor of the elevator with bags around him from recently bought items. He has stalked some books he has bought to position his Pokegear to point towards him without actually holding it himself.

He clears his throat and straightens his hat before speaking.]

Hello, everyone.

It's been quite some time, has it not? I do apologize for that. I'm afraid that I have been quite busy these past few months since I have woken up, so I do hope that everyone is doing fine.

As for myself, it seems like I am in quite the predicament...As you can see-- [He picks up the gear and points it towards the elevator's floor indicator where it the light is on for three and four] --it seems as if I'm stuck in this elevator.

[He puts the Pokegear back on the stack of books and points at himself as he leans back against the wall]

I have called by using the telephone in this elevator but they say it might take a few hours before they can completely fix the problem. So, I hope I can pass the time by making this entry to the network.

It has been quite a while since I have also given out puzzles, so I hope that someone might be able to solve these to cease this boredom. For those who have already solved puzzles of mine in the past, you are free to exchange your picarats for prizes if you wish.

Being stuck in an elevator has reminded me of a wonderful puzzle, so here it is. This one is worth 30 picarats.

"A man lives on the tenth floor of a building. Every morning, he takes the elevator all the way down to work. When he arrives back, if there are other people or if it has been raining, he takes the elevator all the way back up to the tenth floor. However, if he is alone or it hasn't been raining, he takes the elevator up to the fifth floor then takes the stairs.

What is the reason for this??"


(( OOC: TL;DR LAYTON GOT STUCK IN GOLDENROD DEPARTMENT STORE'S ELEVATOR WHICH IS A HUGE NO TO AA PEOPLE BECAUSE THE HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT KILLED IN ELEVATORS. NOW LAYTON IS GIVING PUZZLES SO GO ))

[Y'know, a lot of video feeds starts out quite normal, don't they? They just begin for a few seconds on the person starting it or perhaps the floor then towards the owner of the gear. It doesn't really matter. They all manages to have a very calm start and Professor Layton is one of those kinds of people that has all of his feeds opening like that. So, when a new entry appears in the network with his name attached to it, one can expect the same thing, but this time-- HELLO WALL. FANCY SEEING YOU HERE. MY, YOU'RE LOOKING RATHER WHITE AND PLAIN AND BORING TODAY. OH, WHAT'S THAT? YOU WERE JUST RECENTLY DESTROYED BY A WALKING FRUIT PUNCH? NAAAAAAAAAH. STOP TALKING NONSENSE.

Yes, isn't this a strange sight to see? The Professor never has had any video feeds that starts off with the wall or anywhere else, much less for longer than a minute. He normally has the camera upon himself. That or all over the place when his Noctowl is holding it, but at least it has attempted to stay on him. Even if he does have it pointing at sometime else, it is normally only for a few seconds. What is the problem?

But other than that, where on Earth is the Professor? He will normally appear on screen by now. Well, he can't be holding this Pokegear. It's pointing straight at the wall, but at a very elevated height. He isn't that tall, so who is holding it now? 

The camera turns around and-- NOW HELLO GRIM THE DUSKULL. HOW COME WE'RE NOT SURPRISED?

Grim has became the unoffical cameraman-- er, camerapokemon --since that Violet City gym badge win and it has been recording this whole feed from the beginning, finding nothing better to do outside its Pokeball. These past few days have been rather strange with all the new arrivals. Also, all of his companions has disappeared too during it. The Vulpix and Noctowl have not been seen at all and in their places have been these other weird Pokemon. Something like an "Alakazam" or whatever it has called itself. Well, whatever has happened, the Alaka-whatever has disappeared as well, but Claire and Walter still isn't back. So, being alone, it might as well fiddle around with the Pokegear.

The camera pans towards the wall again before it falls upon the chairs and sofas of the Pokemon Center, and will you guess it? That's where the good Professor is, sleeping on one of the sofas! Well, anyone will be exhausted from that weekend. Even he needs to lay back now and then.

The focus stays on him just sleeping comfortably for a little while longer. It isn't until about a good five minutes when he does manage to wake up.

With a small quiet groan, he pushes himself up in a sitting position on the Pokemon Center's couch, placing a hand on his forehead. Oh dear, what a headache. It feels almost as if someone is pounding on the side of his head with a hammer. His knee feels strangely aching as well. Man, this will be the last time he will ever try to mark two whole classes' papers in one night if he wakes up like this now.

Using the other hand, he straightens his top hat back on, crooked from lying down. How is it still even on? Well, years of practicing how to do so, even while lying down. After all, a true gentleman never takes his hat off! Or that's just gentleman talk for "the hat is just titled at a certain angle while he has been lying down but still covering his head. You will never get to see what his hair looks like"... Well, the way Layton describes it sounds a lot more better, doesn't it? Take your pick or whatever tickles your fancy.

The Professor blinks a few times and looks around. Confusion spreads across his face. The Pokemon Center? He doesn't recall sleeping in here, or ever. He always slept in the comfort of the inn when he is in a city and just like every other time, he has done so last night. How on Earth did he get out here? Hm. His memory is a bit blurry at the moment and he can't think of anything. He must have been just extremely tired and just fallen asleep here. Well, that has happened before but in his office. Not too surprising if it has happened out here too, just in a Pokemon Center and from marking a bunch of papers. Still, it is curious.

Without quite noticing the Duskull carrying on with its usual tomfoolery and that his Pokegear was in the hands of it, the Professor stands up from the coach. He stretches his arms a few times, feeling the blood rush back into them. He can't stay here for long. He has to get back to the school to get ready for tomorrow's lesson.

Grabbing his sling bag nearby, he begins to make his way outside and Grim follows silently. He tips his hat towards Nurse Joy on the way out and pushes the doors into what he believes is Violet City, but--]

My word...

[Oops...Guess who has been transported all the way to Goldenrod City and seeing for the big industrialized area for once? Another ten picarats for this puzzle. Hint: he begins with "P" and ends with "rofessor 'oh my good tea and buscuits what on Earth has happened now I better get an explanation for this' Layton. Answer: Professor Layton and he is looking even more confused than ever.] 

Where in Heavens am I? I do not recall Violet  City ever looking like this.

[He stares in shock at all the new sights around him. He has heard many things about Goldenrod City and how grand it is but he has never actually seen any parts of it. Everything here is much different from how London is with all the tall buildings, tellies on top of said buildings, billboards everywhere, all of them are new sights.

Standing still and taking in all the things around him, his Duskull finally lets out a small low cry and floats down right beside him. He turns towards the Pokemon and even more surprise is added to the mix to see that it has been recording all this time. Well, that might explain why his coat's pockets have been feeling a little light. But, gosh. This morning is just one surprise after another.

He looks into the camera and clears his voice once.]

Will any kind sir or ma'am out there please explain as to where I am located in? I suspect this may be Goldenrod City from what little I have heard, but some confirmation is best.

[He places one hand up to his chin and thinks for a few seconds.]

As for waking up in a completely different location, I have the sneaking suspension that it might be as how I have first arrived here, though over a smaller distance? Hm...

Well, if anyone can provide me with any information, I will greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance--

[But before he can finish his sentence, something tackles him from behind. Well, something as in a distressed Noctowl and Vulpix that has missed their trainer since they disappeared to far away lands of talking creatures that called themselves Digimons.

The Professor lets out a sudden yelp of surprise before he falls flat straight onto a panicking Duskull with a Pokegear in its hands. Oh boy, Domino effect and-- oh good! A second part to this? --the feed forcefully shuts down but not long after for everyone to hear this team crying:]

HOOOPIXHOOSKULLCLAIREWHENDIDYOUVULPIXDUSSHOOHOOPIXPIXWALTERMYNECKHOOVULLL


((OOC: It is five in the morning, why am I still awake-- I will reply to tags later in the day after I get some sleep, go to classes, and sleep in said classes. \o\ ))

[It's November 22nd and it's a beautiful day. However, that's not the only thing about today. Today is finally it. It is finally the day that everyone has been waiting for-- or at least just the Professor. Today, November 22nd will be the day that Professor Hershel Layton will challenge his first gym leader and by golly, will he try to win! Or at least go trying!

Climbing the stairs that would lead him to meet with the gym leader, the camera of the Professor's Pokegear records him from what seemed to on the sidelines, not too far from the actual battle field. With how spacious it is in this area, it isn't that hard to hear the small conversation that Falkner and the Professor exchanged after introducing themselves. Their words echoing throughout the gym, most likely shaped in its dome structure for that purpose. Better than to scream out commands for your Pokemon only to lose your voice halfway through.]

A pleasure to meet with you, Mr. Falkner.

Nice to meet you too, Professor. Are you ready?

Yes, of course.

[The Professor ends their small handshake and brings up one hand to tip his hat. He walks over to his side of the field and Falkner to his own. He stops and turns back towards the leader.]

May the better man win.

Oh, I plan to!

[And with a sudden jump backwards, Falkner throws out a Pokeball into the air. In a flash of bright white, a form shapes and turns, and in all its glory, a Noctowl appears.]


Give me your best shot, Prof"! Don't be holding back!

[The Professor chuckles and reaches up to adjust his top hat once again.]

Why yes, of course.

[He reaches for the Pokeball second to the left and fiddles around with it in his hand for a second. With a strong heave, the Professor throws it into the air.]

Walter!

[....]
[The video feed starts up once again, but it seems like it is outside the gym now. It stopped recording sometime near the end of the gym battle. Why, that's a mystery and so is where on Earth this new feed is taking place. It does look like it's outside the Violet City gym, but it's kinda hard to tell though. The camera flies around the place, swaying a bit to the right, to the left, then up, then down. It's just everywhere and... what is that annoying flapping sound? It sounds just like a bird's... Well, if you managed to put horrible camera work and that flapping together as one, you'll probably reach the conclusion that the Professor has given his Noctowl to record this video feed. Well...that was a pretty bad idea cause it just can't stay steady for a single second... But at least after a few minutes, the Pokegear is handed over to the Professor's Duskull to take over the job, and he pulls it off a lot better. It actually focused on something for once! Thank Ho-Oh...

The camera records the Professor walking out of the Pokemon Gym. He seems very proud right now, fiddling with his top hat's brim with one hand. In his other hand, he seems to be grasping something. Just what could it be? It will take no Einstein to figure it out, seeing as his previous feed was a battle with Falkner. But nevertheless, 5 picarats to those who can guess what was making this man so proud. Grim the Duskull gives only ten seconds for the watcher to guess as he closes up on what is in the Professor's hand.]



[If you guess "Zephyr Badge", that's correct! The Professor now finally has his very first gym badge and on his first try too! He's pretty proud and happy right now. Just look at that smile he has. It's just as big as when he solves a difficult puzzle, maybe even bigger! You can just feel him radiating, even through that screen. He's almost like a child who just received an A+ on his test and in a way, he did. Only now he's 30 years older and got a badge instead of a mark.

And who is there to share the Professor's glee, but the Pokemon that won the battle for him! Claire the Vulpix dances around his feet, jumping and yipping in what seems to be a cheer. Walter the Noctowl flies around the Professor and then perches on his arm once he holds it out. It flaps its wings as if waving them around and hoots excitingly. Even Grim the gloomy Duskull can't escape the happiness going around for it actually mumbled a few "Skulllllllll" for once.

This whole team is just beaming with joy and it is quite a sight to see!]

It appears as I have managed to win my very first gym leader badge of Johto. Although it was a difficult battle, it was enjoyable overall. My Pokemon here have done a wonderful job in helping me so.

I will have to treat them to a very large meal in celebration, no?

[And all at once, all three of his Pokemon give a giant cry of agreement. Claire the Vulpix dances around his feet once more and Walter flaps his wings even stronger. It's chow time! The Professor just chuckles at their excitement, placing his gym badge into his pocket and holding onto his top hat before it flew away. He can greatly understand how they are feeling.]

If anyone knows what is the best kind of treats for Pokemon are sold in the markets, please do tell for I would like to give them today something as my thanks.

[His Pokemon cry out once again.]

But, ah, this video is not just for my win. I did not record this to brag, but rather to ask if anyone is interested in going on an exposition with me.

This exposition will be done in some ruins just nearby Violet City called the "Alph Ruins". They are only about a day's travel to reach there and they seem to be holding some mystery. As to what they might have, I am not too sure. This will be my first time studying anything of the sort here in Johto.

As some of you may know, I am not only a professor but also an archeologist. I have studied many different things back in London, so to study ruins native of this land will be fascinating. I am only asking if anyone will like to assist me in gathering information about these Alph Ruins.

Perhaps studying these ruins may lead to some clues as to how we arrived here and why. We may even gather enough information as to how to find a way home, if that is what some may wish.

My expedition will only last for about a week to two weeks, depending as to how large it may be. Anyone is free to follow along if they wish so. It will be a great pleasure to have someone to work with. However, I am afraid I cannot provide any food during our trip. I will only be able to serve tea there. I do hope that you may understand.

For those who are not located around in Violet City but would still like to know or help, I will be giving a report on whatever we may discover.

I will keep down a list of those who will be coming and give an update as to when we will be leaving.

Thank you very kindly for listening and I do hope I interested someone.

[And the Professor tips his hat before the feed ends.]


(( OOC: But yeah! This is it, guys! The Professor is finally going to head down to Alph Ruins to study it, but he's asking for anyone that want to help him solve it! There's some stuff down there in the ruins such as moon stones, berries, mystic water, all that jazz. There are four chambers in the ruins for the characters to discover and figure out what the meanings are on the walls. Permission granted from the mods for what they can discover and what items they can find~  Oh, and Layton got a badge too. Yaaaaaay~ \o\ ...and sorry about the tl;dr and lack of gym battle action or something s-sob))

[So, the festival is now over and everything around the cities is being cleaned up. The booths has been placed away and the confetti on the ground being swept away. It looks just like what most finished festivals looked like. It even has that usual feeling of nostalgia when you just look around, just thinking about that amazing event. Of course, everything is back to normal, but guess who is still running that little puzzle booth of his? 

Professor Layton, that's who! 

Well, it is not much of a booth as much as it is just an empty green bench with no one but himself sitting on it. He has returned all the tables and desks he borrowed from the school, and has been now reduced to only claiming the bench next to the Pokemon Center. At least three paper bags is sitting by his feet and a Noctowl perching itself on the bench with him. For those who might remember his Hoothoot, 10 picarats if you can guess who this Noctowl is. It actually has evolved on Halloween when fending off those glitches, but it never left its Pokeball for everyone to see until today. Doesn't it look so much wiser? What a fitting Pokemon to its trainer!

The Professor positions the Pokegear on the empty space of the bench, making sure it is set perfectly, the video shaking around for a few seconds. He nods once he has it set up perfectly. He clears his throat once.]

Hello to all out there. I do hope that everyone had enjoyed the festival. It was quite the event, was it not?

[He waits a few seconds almost as if waiting for a response, but continues.]

Well, for those who came across my puzzle booth in Violet City, I would like thank you very much for visiting. It had greatly overjoyed me to see people interested. I had handed out many puzzles, tea, and picarats during those three days. I am also glad that some people had taken their picarats and exchanged them for prizes, however, it does seem that I have quite a lot of items left over.

[He pans the camera towards the bags at the ground for a few seconds before positioning it back at him.]

I will now offer this chance to those who are in different cities or those who had not exchanged their picarats yet in Violet City to do so. As you may see, my Hoothoot here seemed to have grown quite strong and larger into a Noctowl. Isn't that correct, Walter?

[The Noctowl spreads its wings and gives off a cry. Awww yeah, look how awesome it is now. It seems very proud of itself. The Professor just chuckles.]

For those who have solved my puzzles before but are located other than Violet City, please, select what prize you may want to receive and my Pokemon here will deliver it to you by flying over there. Do not worry about Walter. He has actually offered to deliver the prizes around, so he will be quite fine. It seems as good training for him from his point of view, haha.

For those still in Violet City and would like to exchange their picarats for the prizes, I am located outside the Pokemon Center. Please, do come for a visit. I have some tea that anyone may like to sip with me.

[And when he means sip tea, he means it. It seems like he overbought everything again...But back on topic!]

My prizes here consist of the usual potions, pokeballs, and other supplies. It is mainly what you find in the markets. It may not stand against what Goldenrod's department store might have, but I do hope that I can provide something as a "thank you" for solving all of my puzzles. Unfortunately, I am afraid I cannot deliver the heavier prizes such as the articles of clothing I may have, so my apologizes.

If you have a flying-type Pokemon with you that would rather pick up the prize, that will be quite fine. I am sure that Walter cannot travel all over the place forever.

[The Noctowl stares at the Professor before flying over and sitting right on his hat. Commence flailing! Oh my good Heavens, you are heavy. GET OFF OH MY LORD MY NECK IT'S GONNA BREAK I NEED THIS TO SOLVE PUZZLES AND GO OUT TO DINNER WITH CLAIRE AND FRIENDS OH MY LORD FFFFFFFFFF-- oh hey, it got off after a few seconds of flailing and chuckles and apologizes. He straightens his hat onto his hat once again and clears his throat.]

B-But yes, if you do have a flying-type, it is more than welcome to pick up the prizes itself. Perhaps it will be strong enough to actually carry the heavier prizes? Please, do not hesitate to ask what prizes I may have and if anyone out there is interested in solving more puzzles to earn more picarats, please do ask. I will not be running out anytime soon, so newcomers are also quite welcome! Actually, I have a puzzle I would like someone to solve, so please do give it a try for those who want to:

"A man was found murdered on a Sunday morning. His wife immediately called the police and they questioned the wife and the staff. These were the alibis:

The Wife was asleep.
The Chef was cooking breakfast.
The Gardener was picking vegetables.
The Maid was getting the mail.
The Butler was cleaning out the closet.

Just from these alibis, the police instantly knew who the was the murderer and arrested him or her. Who was it and how did they know?"

[30 picarats to those who solve this one! Add it to your collection and trade it in! Who knows, maybe the Professor has a prize you might find neat!]


(( OOC: fffffff I-I know I'm behind on tags with profpuzzle , usedeverything and aliapars . I apologize for that. I just been really tired lately from walking everywhere and worrying about what university to apply to and fffff. Don't hesitate to put in your subject what entries/tags I should get to with who, and I'm there! I need to catch up like CRAZY, so I appreciate any help. For the prizes, he does have a great variety and he has a set picarat price for them. Just ask and ye shall receive! Happy exchanging and solving!

EDIT: Dude, okay, who bought Layton five extra icons? Come out here so I can punch you with love. ;; ))

[So, it's finally night time all around Johto. The Hoothoots are now awake and flying around, and the Sentrets were starting to tuck themselves in. However, it wasn't that late out though, so it was not unusual that a new video entry appeared over the network.

The feed started up and it shook around for a minute, just before it focused on a man sitting on top of some tarp. Above him was another large tarp that was attached to a few trees around the area. The rain pittered and pattered onto the plastic wrap, almost creating some kind of rhythm. It was actually a bit smoothing, to be honest. But seriously, jut who on Earth is this man with the towel over his head? It doesn't seem like anyone that appeared over the network, but the area around him didn't seem like Route 29 or anywhere that a newcomer would stay, neither did the equipment he had seemed fitted for a newcomer. So, just who was this person? But hey...doesn't those dot eyes seem really familiar? 

If you happened to look pretty closely and maybe even squint your eyes, you could actually tell that this man is...the Professor?

Yes, it is! It is actually Professor Layton, and for once, it seems like he isn't wearing his top hat. In its place, a medium-sized white towel laid on his head, covering most of his hair, so those curious as to what his hair may look like, ahhh, too bad. All you can get is that his hair colour is brown and that he has some bangs. Other than that, it's hard to tell anything else like the style.

Well, either way, it didn't change the fact that his hair was just completely soaked. He couldn't wear his top hat like this, hence the towel. Actually, he couldn't wear his hat all day today. Ponchos were not kind to top hat wearing gentlemen, so he had to carry his hat around, wrapped in an extra poncho. If that didn't make it worse, while he was trying to set up this camp with the others in his traveling group, his hood kept flying back from the winds, and the leaves and branches had some kind of grudge on him since they kept whipping him in the face....His face does seem a bit red, now that we mention it...Well, if Remi wasn't going to be the end of him by making him climb ledges, then all this camping will.

Smiling a bit, the Professor waved a gloved hand towards the camera.]

I hope that everyone is taking shelter from this rain. It seems like the weather today is rather quite bad--
!! CRASH !!

...Actually, "terrible" would be a better way to describe this. It is rather chilly as well.

[He pulled his beige scarf closer around his neck and rubbed his gloved hands together. With the temperature ranging from 43ºF/6ºC to 41ºF/4ºC, it was pretty cold out. Not to mention that the Professor's hair was still wet, so it just made things worse for him. He'll just have to wait until it dried out, hence why he was up and recording.]

I can't sleep just yet until my hair dries, so perhaps someone can help pass the time. I do have a few puzzles with me for those who want to solve them, but perhaps maybe we can have a new discussion just for a change:

If you were given the chance to return back to your home-- and I am positive we will find a way to do so --will you return? You do not have to answer the question. I have no right to pry into this. I am merely curious. We may go back to the puzzles, if you wish.

[As for the Professor himself...well, you'll just have to ask yourself. He has mixed feelings, and all for different reasons...So much for a happy topic, huh?]


(( OOC: ffffff Sorry to Layton cast if this isn't okay! Give me a holler then! Slowitaus sucks major balls. ;A; ))