Treasure Hunting 101

Chapter XIII

Mackenzie

Music: ROUND1 from Dragon Saber

It's high noon (at least, on the east coast) when my team teleports into our nation's capital. We're nowhere near any important landmarks or buildings at the moment, but I'm sure we'll visit those eventually.

"Here we are, my friends," Dr. Scientist says pridefully. "Washington D.C. Did you know that the "D.C" in "Washington D.C" stands for "District of Columbia', referencing the district containing the city of Washington?"

Sean and Shanna nod with amusement. "I did not, actually," Shanna replies. Mia's not a huge fan of adults trying to spout random facts on her that she could just look up on Google, as it makes her feel like she's being treated as a child. As such, she doesn't acknowledge Dr. Scientist's factoid. As for me, I'm barely paying attention.

"Y'know, I've been down here a few times myself," Dr. Scientist tells us as we begin walking through the town of Washington. "I've been nationally recognized for some of my research into conspiracy theories around the country."

"That's cool," I nod, taking in all the sights around me. Being in this part of the country is actually ironic for me. Back in my illuminati days, I was once planned to be recruited to sneak into the White House, and using my spy training, uncover confidential information from the President. What prevented me from going was my illuminati father being too overprotective of me, and telling my mother that there's no way he'd send his "child" (I was abducted by them at childbirth) into dangerous enemy territory like that. They ended up sending in a couple of older, more well-trained spies, and they wound up getting shot by security personnel. I like to think my illuminati father never let that one go on his wife after that.

As much as I hate to think about my unnatural, not child-friendly past, this memory in particular brings a smile to my face and chuckle from my mouth. My first trip here could've been to try and destroy our country, and now I'm here exploring for some ancient treasure, with no intention of causing harm to anything or anyone. Funny how things turn out that way, huh?

"Okay, so the clue said that our 'next obstacle' is somewhere on the coast of D.C," Mia tells us, looking at the note we got from the mermaid king back in Glandville.

"That can't be right," Dr. Scientist mutters, scratching his chin. "I don't think D.C is on the coast. It's very close, though." He takes a look at a map to confirm that D.C is indeed not right on the eastern coast.

"Do we have to look for that right away?" Shanna moans. "We're in D.C, and I want to explore!"

"Yeah, and it's lunchtime, so we should probably eat to keep our energy up," I add.

"Guys, do you want to give the other team a chance to beat us?" Mia asks, a "I'm not going to put up with your shit" look on her face.

"They do bring up some good points, Mia," Sean says. "Shanna and I didn't get a chance to eat breakfast this morning, and I'm starving."

"Me too," Shanna adds. "We need to eat now if we want to have a chance of finding the treasure first."

"Let's at least find a place to eat first, and then we'll go from there," Dr. Scientist suggests. Sean, Shanna, and I are content with this suggestion, and Mia begrudgingly goes along with it.

We make our way into the heart of downtown, following Dr. Scientist to where a place where he claims he knows we can get good food at. At 12:31 PM, we find a place called The Lafayette, which looks like the kind of restaurant meant for rich people at the very tip top of the high-class.

"You expect us to be able to eat at a place like this?!" Mia exclaims in bewilderment. "How can we even afford this place?"

"Just watch," Dr. Scientist replies, giving Mia a smirk.