Animation Project: Initial Story

Medium:
I am wanting to do a Animation combining both 3D and 2D animation

At the moment I believe I will be Using 3D animation for the two main characters, and a mixture of 2D and 3D for the background and extra characters.


Initial Story:
The Professor and his companion, journey to a Monsters den, as they have tracked down a key,
they need, Before they set of the professor is faffing around with collecting some liquid goop in a overlarge srynge
A key that will unlock an old cavern which they suspect may lead to the surface world.
They go to get they key Used the srynge to dislodge the Key (or erode what it is stuck in)
Possible  some escape from a collapsing cavern or monster as the meat of the story.
They get away with the Key


World:
The world takes place in an underground world, where the surface is but a myth, but not to all, the story focuses around the Professor who believes he is a human, and his dragon friend who desires to devour the moon.
Both of them are part of a conspiracy theorist group who believes that the surface world is not a myth and is real (as it is but this isn't known)
The professor has recently discovered new information, an old dangerous cavern long forgotten, he wishes to go forth into this cavern as to find the surface world, however this old cavern is shut tight a gate guarding their way, and a key missing to unlock their new journey.

(the story will focus on them getting the Key, anything else will be in dialog or hint and lore)

Motive:
Professor: He believes he is human and want to connect the two worlds
Loon: She wishes to see the surface and devour the Moon

Characters: (confirmed)
The Professor: The humanoid
Loon: The Dragon


Initial Sketches:

Inspirations:

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a game that follows a beetle like character:

Most of the story takes place underground where you face 

enemies and travel through different caverns

Plague Doctors:

not a series or anything I just like them, they are creepy



Legend Of Zelda: Breath of Wild
Gannon's Blight
The pink/Purple sludge that appears in LOZ:BOTW

Slug Terra

Slug Terra takes place in an underground world, unknown to the surface as the surface is unknown to them. In this world they shoot slugs out of guns, honestly weird concept but it works (somehow)

FENNAH (Satellite City)

More specifically his character Lucy
She along with the characters of SATALITE CITY

are creepy in appearance and have somewhat 

concerning personalities