The Queen of Locksmith

As Lexus stood near the Big Stuffed Teddy Bear, memories of his encounter with Prince Gunner in the stairwell flooded back. He struggled to recall the moments as he fell unconscious, only to awaken in the room with the oversized toy. But now, his focus was on the bear, a strong conviction growing within him that Dr. Lizardo's soul resided within its fabric and stuffing.

Lexus was aware that Oriana shared this belief, having read about it in Dr. Lizardo's journal. They locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between them. It was as if their minds agreed that Dr. Lizardo had left something important within this peculiar object.

Meanwhile, Prince Gunner and Milky Cow exchanged murmured remarks about Lexus and Oriana, teasing the possibility of a romantic connection between them. Oriana overheard their banter and shot them a sharp glare, silencing their words. Gunner and Cow, realizing their misstep, attempted to change the subject, whispering amongst themselves.

Gunner leaned in and whispered to Milky Cow, "Hey, you think Lexus and Oriana are actually hitting it off? They seem to have a special connection."

Milky Cow chuckled softly, glancing at the pair. "Well, they do make a great team. But who knows? We'll just have to see how things unfold. Love can be quite unexpected, my friend."

Prince Gunner nodded, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "True, true. They're definitely keeping us on our toes."

As Lexus and Oriana carefully tore through the cotton and foam of the Teddy Bear, their anticipation grew. Within a minute, they uncovered a peculiar box with intricate designs that immediately captured everyone's attention.

Milky Cow's eyes widened in astonishment. "What is that?" he exclaimed, unable to contain his curiosity.

Lexus wasted no time in placing the box on the table. "This is a Vault with a 6-lock mechanism," he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "It seems nearly impossible to open or destroy. I'm sorry, guys. I don't think I can unlock this."

Doubt and frustration clouded Lexus's mind, feeling as though yet another plan had reached an impasse. But Prince Gunner, never one to give up easily, interjected with unwavering confidence.

"Don't worry, Officer," Gunner exclaimed, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "You know we have the upper hand because..."

Milky Cow joined in, finishing Gunner's sentence with a mischievous grin, "...because the Queen of Locksmith is on our side!"

Oriana, having heard their playful banter, allowed a smile to grace her face. She emitted an aura of determination, as if she were channeling a hidden power. All eyes turned to her, filled with anticipation.

With a sense of purpose, Oriana pulled out her trusty stethoscope and examined the vault with precision. Her keen senses and honed abilities allowed her to connect with the lock's intricate mechanism. The room fell into a profound silence, the only sound echoing being the rhythmic clicking and ticking of the vault.

Oriana dialed each combination with lightning speed, her movements resembling that of a skilled DJ manipulating the volume. It was as if she could see through the inner workings of the lock simply by listening to its ticking.

With each passing second, the tension mounted. Then, at the 50th second, the first of the six locks burst open, followed by another and another, until all combinations were complete. The Vault was now ready to be opened.

Milky Cow and Prince Gunner couldn't contain their amazement, and they erupted into applause, their excitement palpable. Lexus, frozen in astonishment, stared at Oriana in awe.

Oriana, her gaze fixed on Lexus, spoke with a sense of pride and admiration. "I'm letting you have the honor of seeing what's inside, Lexus."

With a mix of excitement and confusion, Lexus approached the vault and cautiously opened it. Inside, they discovered a mysterious object that emanated an unholy light, flickering with otherworldly energy. Alongside it was a letter from Dr. Lizardo.

Everyone in the room felt a collective shiver run down their spines. Goosebumps formed on their arms as they read the words inscribed on the letter: "This is the SOUL CORE. Inside this battery is a portion of thy soul essence. Free thy soul, thy soul will be whole. - Dr. L."

As the weight of the revelation settled upon them, a surge of determination coursed through their veins. They knew they held a vital clue that would help them continue to unravel the mystery behind the AL-Machina and bring an end to Chief Melton John's reign of darkness.