"We're the gray area, angel. We're the pieces of the puzzle they don't know what to do with, the pieces that don't quite fit into their perfect little picture, so they choose to discard us, to keep their image untainted, but we can only be ignored for so long. Because eventually, whether they want to admit it or not, all of their black and white will bleed together anyway." ― J.M. Darhower Four aimless souls. Four tales of redemption. Society has failed them. People have failed them. Ryder runs with no end in sight, but a boy might save him. Chelsea lives with a monster, but music isn't her only escape. Isaac seeks redemption, but a soul as black as his delights in the fire. Corin lost someone dear, but she also lost herself and fell so very far. Though touching sunlight, the lives of these young souls are marred by tragedy, by loneliness, and slipping through the cracks. They are outcasts, but that's not all they are. There is hope, even for the lonely hearts, the broken few. They are not alone.

In a world where winter's white meets autumn's golden embrace, Mt. Fierté Academy feels like a dream-untouched by time, a place where beauty and new beginnings bloom. For Oscar Robertson, it's a fresh start. Just one he never expected to make. Shunned by his family, alone in a strange, snowy land, Oscar is skeptical that anything here can change the loneliness that's always surrounded him. But everything shifts when he meets the warm, vibrant souls of his new school-people who make him see himself in ways he never thought possible. Ansel, his quirky DJ roommate, whose carefree charm hides a deeper side; Cal, the laid-back philosopher who always has time for coffee and quiet truths; Jess, a bookish mystery with a quiet grace and stories that echo her own hidden depths; and Steph, whose camera catches the moments Oscar is too afraid to notice. And one such moment is Nick. Nick Gutiérrez-handsome, cool, the hockey star with a heart as stormy as the mountain weather. Torn between two worlds, he better than anyone else understands Oscar, and slowly, softly, Oscar finds himself falling, completely for someone who makes the world feel both like home and full of beautiful uncertainty. As family pressures and old fears tug at him, Oscar realizes he doesn't want to leave this quiet sanctuary, this place of warmth and new love. With Nick at his side, he'll face whatever comes, hoping that their love will survive even the coldest winters.

Where do all the demons play when the sun goes down? Hell, of course. Just... not the Hell you're thinking of. Isaac Parkinson is a man on the run, fleeing a past he desires no part of, and a city that wants him dead. A new city; new opportunities. Bunking out in an abandoned warehouse in the grey corners of an already grey city, he has two possessions to his name: a sleek silver revolver, and a necklace: the only tie to his previous life. To his mother. But it might fetch a hefty sum, if you know the right guy. If it boils down to selling your soul, Isaac only asks the price. Isaac stumbles onto Connor Robertson, a man thrust into a fortune he can't control, and Isaac reveals Connor's black heart. Turning this new development to his advantage, he seduces the young Connor into converting this dump into a makeshift nightclub. The catch? It's all a lie. A haven for the lost souls, a hangout to drink your sorrows away and enjoy the sweet bliss of a drug-fuelled escape, turning their pain into profit. This limbo between two worlds-the real world, and the world of fantasy: a Hell of its own. Only the lonely dwell here. Connor might just fit in at a place like this, yet he craves for a life well-lived, and escaping into the night has never been a long-term solution. Isaac wants to prove him otherwise, showing him the dangers, and delights of this unkempt world. Swept up in Isaac's charm, Connor looks past the darkness in his heart, and as Isaac's past catches up to him, and new threats emerge, Connor finds he is in way over his head. But the fight is not his alone. Corin Lowell, guardian of Hell, shadow in the cracks, and bright-eyed Aiden Griffin, challenge what Isaac holds true. As their black hearts are put on display, Connor has to decide if Isaac truly does love him, and can be saved from his destructive path, or if his soul really belongs in Hell to burn.

Anxious. Alone. Afraid. Aiden Griffin never asked to be any of these things, but they define his existence, shaping every moment, ruining any chance for connections, and carving deeper into him with every passing day. His life is a quiet battle, one fought in solitude-lost in the woods, wandering through forgotten cemeteries, and navigating the decaying corners of an uncaring city. He's far from the world that's hurt him, but the words still haunt, sharp and unforgiving. Isolated by the cruelty of those around him, Aiden often feels like an outsider, his mind swirling with thoughts that others can't understand. His autism makes it harder to connect, leaving him drifting in the shadows, struggling to navigate a world that feels overwhelming and unkind. His parents are distant, and no one at school seems to notice that the golden boy everyone admires is the one person Aiden fears most. Then comes Ryder McCallum-charismatic, wild, and fearless. With a smile that could charm anyone and a penchant for adventure and bold risks, Ryder steps into Aiden's life like a whirlwind, challenging everything he's ever known. Ryder dares Aiden to step beyond the cage of his own fears, to be something more than the walls he's built around himself. But Aiden is wary, his heart too tethered to its darkness to trust the light Ryder brings. With every reckless adventure they embark on, Aiden starts to wonder if maybe, just maybe, he's meant for something more. As their friendship evolves into something more profound than either of them anticipated, Aiden finds himself drawn to Ryder, a boy as unpredictable as he is magnetic-a boy who slips away just as quickly as he arrives, leaving Aiden to question if he's chasing a dream. But no matter how elusive Ryder becomes, one thing remains undeniable: for the first time, Aiden feels alive with a love that makes him believe in something greater than himself, and he'll do whatever it takes to hold on.

"A true gentleman leaves no puzzle unsolved." Or in this instance, no story untold. Join me as I step once more into this beloved world, full of charming and memorable characters, to share a few stories that desired... No, demanded to be told. Here presents a collection of stories focusing on several characters from across the Layton universe. From Descole, to Hershel himself, of course, herein lies stories highlighting the puzzling, yet extraordinarily wonderful characters this game series has given us. No two stories are alike, and each one of them shall bring new life to these characters we cherish so dearly. A theme for these stories would be memories and emotions, and how simple items can harbour such strong emotional ties. Each character has something that means a great deal to them, for we infuse aspects and memories into simple objects and in that new life and meaning is born. Should we lose sight of that, it can change who we are. Yet all we need is a little reminder of our humanity. Of love and the bonds that hold us together. Keep us strong. So dive into a few tales from some characters you know and love deeply, and maybe some who will have a new light shone onto them. I guarantee a little something for everyone.

'When your breath becomes faint When your heart seems but quaint You'll know that touch of blue lips Upon bottle tips They say love is so pure Yet it isn't the cure For a soul that's lost in your eyes' You've heard it all before. The rebellious teenager who sings in a band and struggles with the woes of teen drama. They fight with their girlfriend and have a spat with their parents, and then it is all wrapped up by the end in a nice little bow. This isn't that kind of story. Clay Hudson is eighteen and is on the right course to go to the university his parents have chosen for him since he emerged from the womb. He has a girlfriend, Kaylee, and somewhere lost in that mix are his best friends: Fletcher who is ready to kick some ass with him, even if Clay is somewhat of a teacher's pet, and Chelsea, who is fighting her own battle, wanting to reclaim the friendship Clay's broken. Clay has pushed them from his life in favour of a night of wild highs and alcohol-fuelled adventures. The thing is, that life is a series of false thrills, and in the end, these adrenaline deceptions are distracting Clay from the things that truly matter in his life. Since he was little, Clay has dreamt of entertaining a crowd, singing his soul's notes to an audience that would love the pure bliss and magic that comes from music. But school is ending soon, his friends are almost lost to him, and Clay realises his life is a fanciful nightmare. With the weight of expectation crushing down on him, his dad's illness, and the feelings he harbours for Fletcher springing forth after a long period of burial, Clay has to cast aside the shackles of his superficial life and rediscover what inspires him in life, and who truly matters. Sounds pretty usual, right? But then again, No one ever said finding balance, the pure note Clay seeks would ever be easy. -Contains coarse language, some sexual content and scenes of an upsetting nature.

The adult daughter of the famous Professor Layton has a bit of an issue with her father's evilness. He was never like that before the wedding. She needs help. Rosie decides to fight fire with fire. Along with her husband, she builds a time machine and sends Layton from 20 years in the past into the present to come help them. See Rosie's side of the story, how she fits into it, and the TRUTH about the unwound future. (Rated M for language, alcohol references, and sexual content)

Don’t miss this imaginative new short story set in the magical world of Watersong—a realm of enchanting beauty…and terrifying secrets. Aggie is a mythological creature on a secret mission. Lydia is a young woman from a magical family with no real powers of her own. And Daniel is a high school boy who’s made it his duty to protect his deeply troubled older brother. Then one fateful night, their lives collide in a terrifying accident that changes them all forever. And beneath the surface, the ripple effects of the accident will have more impact than anyone could ever guess...changing not only their future, but the fate of an entire town.

Olivia's best friend is not imaginary. He’s not a ghost, either. And she's pretty sure he's not a hallucination. He’s just Mason. He is, however, invisible. When Olivia spotted the crying little boy on her front porch at five years old, she had no idea she was the only one who could see him. Twelve years later when new-girl Robin bumps into the both of them and introduces herself to Mason, they are both stunned. Mason couldn't be more pleased that someone else can see him. Olivia, on the other hand, isn't jumping at the chance to welcome Robin into their circle. Jealousy may have something to do with that, but honest fear that Robin's presence will put Mason in danger is soon validated when a strange black car begins showing up everywhere. The race to find out what Robin knows in time to protect Mason from whatever threats are coming becomes Olivia's only focus.

A Professor Layton fan fiction set after the second game, Professor Layton and Pandora's Box. Spoiler-free for that, but MAJOR CURIOUS VILLAGE SPOILERS.