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Sylanwood, Path toward Diremaw, Time: 9:00 AM
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As the new day dawned, the Lucky Inquisitors began to pack up their tents, ready to continue their journey.
Mianne, curious about the distance remaining, turned to Ace for guidance. "How much further do you think it's gonna be?" she inquired.
Ace consulted the map to Diremaw before responding. "If you keep heading North, we should reach our destination in about 30 minutes." Mianne expressed her gratitude for the information.
Amidst their preparations, James noticed something unusual on Mianne's back. He pointed it out, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a pinecone with a tail.
Before they could fully comprehend it, the pinecone burst open to reveal a tiny creature with sleepy lizard-like eyes and wings.
It was a baby pinecone dragon, and its appearance left Mianne in both surprise and excitement.
"EEEEK!" Mianne let out a surprised squeal as the baby pinecone dragon took to the air, attempting to fly but struggling to maintain balance.
Fearful that it might fall, Mianne reacted swiftly, extending her hands to catch the little dragon just in time.
The dragon nestled into her hand, its eyes meeting hers in a moment of recognition.
"Whoa, what's that?" James asked, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected creature in Mianne's grip.
The baby dragon seemed to process something in its mind, and then it let out a cheerful roar, rubbing affectionately against Mianne's cheeks.
Amused and fascinated by the interaction between Mianne and the baby pinecone dragon, the rest of the Lucky Inquisitors gathered around to witness the adorable spectacle.
"Looks like you've made a new friend," Ace commented with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling as he observed the heartwarming scene.
Mianne's face lit up with a bright smile as she gently cradled the tiny dragon in her hands. "Isn't it the cutest thing?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine joy.
The baby dragon seemed to respond to her affection, nuzzling against her fingers and emitting a contented purr-like sound.
"It's incredible," Ezra remarked, his usual reserved demeanor breaking momentarily to reveal a hint of wonder.
He leaned in for a closer look, his scholarly curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery. "Pinecone dragons are known to be quite rare and usually found in remote areas. It's quite a sight to see one up close."
James, who initially poked at the pinecone and set this chain of events in motion, couldn't help but grin. "Who would've thought a simple pinecone could lead to this?" he mused, genuinely entertained by the turn of events.
Concern etched on his face, Ace raised a crucial point that weighed heavily on everyone's minds. "If this is a baby pinecone dragon, it's possible that it was abandoned by its parents," he stated, his voice tinged with worry.
The challenges of surviving as a pinecone dragon in the Sylanwood environment were daunting, especially with the ever-growing threats posed by the creatures in the forest.
Mianne's smile softened as she cradled the little dragon with even more care, her gaze filled with empathy. "Poor thing must have been through so much," she murmured, her heart going out to the small creature in her hands.
"We can't just leave it here," she added firmly, looking around at her companions as if seeking their agreement.
Ezra, who had a deep understanding of creatures and their environments, nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, a baby pinecone dragon's chances of survival without proper care and protection are slim," he concurred, his analytical mind processing the situation. "If we're going to help it, we need to ensure its well-being and safety."
James, who was now fully invested in this newfound responsibility, nodded eagerly. "Then it's settled. We'll take care of it and make sure it grows strong," he declared, his determination mirrored in the eyes of his friends.
"That's a wonderful idea, James! Perhaps we can even find its original parents and reunite them," Mianne suggested, her voice carrying a mixture of hope and determination.
Her gaze remained fixed on the baby dragon, her heart touched by the innocence and trust radiating from its starry eyes.
"Don't worry, little one. We'll make sure you're safe and find your family," she whispered gently, a small smile on her lips as the baby dragon responded with a joyful roar, nuzzling against her as if understanding her words.
"So, what should we call you?" Mianne tilted her head, mirroring the pine cone dragon's inquisitive posture.
"Maybe Lizzy? Or even Drake?" Ezra suggested, offering basic lizard names that came to mind.
"Oh, I know! Dyssorath!" Mianne suggested, prompting Dyssorath to roar in happiness as well.
With the newfound addition to their group, the Lucky Inquisitors' spirits were lifted, and they began to pack up their campsite.
"Agreed, let's keep moving," James affirmed, his optimism contagious. Following Ace's lead, they embarked on their journey to Diremaw.
From a distance, Sugar's Enterprise maintained its watchful gaze on the Lucky Inquisitors. Sugar, with visible signs of exhaustion evident in his tired eyes and darkened eye bags, issued the next course of action.
"Alright, it looks like they're on the move once more. Let's get a move on ourselves," Sugar declared, his voice carrying a mix of weariness and determination.
However, his words were abruptly cut short when he inadvertently bumped into a chest overflowing with gold, causing him to grimace.
Yet, amidst their preparations, it was clear that one member was conspicuously absent—November. Her absence had caught the attention of the rest of Sugar's Enterprise, and questions began to arise about her whereabouts and the potential reasons behind her absence.
"So, where's the leech?" Rosco asked about November's whereabouts.
"She said she wanted to grab something in the morning. It's been almost 2 hours since she left," Dy'va replied, doing his best to keep the team informed.
"Oh, she's definitely in that secret lab of hers," Toodies chimed in, recalling where she was likely to be.
"She has one? Is it the one in the basement?" Dy'va expressed surprise, unaware of this information.
"No... well, kind of?" Toodies shrugged, finding it challenging to provide a clear description.
Rosco just sighed and closed his eyes, "I don't care what she's planning but do warn sir of everyone's whereabouts."
Toodies simply nodded, he was still a child so he had to listen to what the "Adults" had to say.
Toodies tugged his sleeves to look at the wrapped bandages around his left arm. His expression was saddening for a while before rolling it back away, "...What's she doing now?"
He looks at the screen that The Watcher JR still observing to see a pinecone dragon, "Maybe that thing gonna be more valuable..."
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Pocket Dimension, November's Laboratory, Time: 8:50 (10 minutes ago)
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Tucked within the hidden corners of existence, the Pocket Dimension shimmers with an otherworldly allure. A realm of shifting energies, this space defies the norms of reality, vibrant with colors and mysteries.
Amid this ethereal expanse rests November's Laboratory, a crystalline sanctuary. Its entrance beckons with swirling runes, leading to a chamber suspended between dimensions.
Floating shelves display enigmatic vials and alchemical wonders, while a central apparatus hums with arcane life.
Rest on the experiment table is a body of golden metallic exoskeleton, and its arms are a giant iron claw. and beside it was a brain in a jar with golden gear ornaments behind it.
An exhaust pipe collar was around the jars. The gear behind the jar seems to be moving as it comes alive
"*BEEP*Awakening engage.*END BEEP*"
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