Rusty and Nyx were standing by Reid's side, waiting for the promised 'surprise'.
"Evo, send us to the Forge Lab" Reid said, this time he was prepared for the flash of light that enveloped them.
His two forged-beasts were a bit disoriented because of the light. They curiously looked around the lab when they got back to normal.
"Welcome to the Forge Lab" Reid introduced the lab to them.
"Squeak?" Rusty let out, which was mouse for "Was this the surprise?".
"Not all of it" Reid answered with a small smile "you'll get to see the real surprise soon".
Reid walked up to the table and picked up the gloves and glasses, putting them on.
"Alright Evo, let's begin" he requested.
Although the requirement to evolve both the forged-beasts was 10 cores and 10 alloys in total, Evo explained that said amount was lower the higher the tier of the core.
A single Gold-tier core was enough to evolve both Nyx and Rusty, that's what Reid was planning on doing today.
[Please place one of the forged-beasts on the circular platform]
Reid did as instructed, placing Rusty on the platform.
"Squeak" it squeak nervously
"Don't worry, you'll be fine and you'll come out even stronger" Reid assured and stepped back.
[Forge tools activate, please select a mode:
Forged-beast creation
Forged-beast Evolution
Forged-beast repair
Beast scan
Note: more options will unlock when you increase your soul power.]
The options popped up on his glasses and he selected the Forged-beast evolution tab.
Just as before a 3d representation of Rusty showed up and a small podium rose from the floor, this time with a bigger space for the materials.
He placed the Gold-tier Time core and 5 alloys on it before it sunk to the floor again.
Reid decided to give Rusty the time core because its ability [Delayed reaction] was similar to slowing down time but for the enemy.
The robotic arms descended again, starting the evolution process.
[Evolution in process.
One evolution path available:
Silver-tier Time mouse.
]
"Silver-tier?" He asked, feeling a bit confused "shouldn't it be Gold-tier?"
[Under normal circumstances, Rusty would have evolved into a Gold-tier but normal circumstances meant using Gold-tier alloys.
With the Bronze-tier ones, this was the highest tier I could push it to] Evo explained.
"I see" Reid said and clicked on [Silver-tier Time mouse] which was the only evolution path available.
[Evolution of Rusty to Silver-tier Time mouse has begun.
Remaining time: 12:59:59]
" Twelve hours? Can't it be done faster" he was a bit surprised seeing the time.
[It can but remember, your soul power evolves alongside your beasts.
So if you don't want to feel like your soul is being ripped out, I request you don't ask me to quicken the process] She advised making Reid gulp.
He turned to look at the the sleeping Rusty and the robotic arms working on it.
Nyx was watching the process curiously on top of Reid's head.
"So, we'll have to wait for Rusty's evolution to be completed to evolve Nyx?" He asked.
[Not necessarily]
As soon as Evo completed her sentence, another circular platform rose up beside the one Rusty was on.
"Alright buddy, it your turn now" he informed the moth resting on his head. Nyx flapped its wings in excitement and flew to the platform itself.
The same process for Rusty was repeated for Nyx, the only difference being the void core that Reid placed.
[Evolution in process.
One evolution path available:
Silver-tier Void moth.
]
He selected the only option available and watched the timer pop up again.
[Evolution of Nyx to Silver-tier void moth has begun.
Remaining time: 12:59:59].
Reid sat down on a chair the rose from the floor and watched the process for a few minutes before getting bored.
"What else can I do in here Evo?" He asked, looking for ways to alleviate his boredom although he was starting to feel lightheaded again.
[Apart from forging, evolving, scanning or fixing beasts? There's nothing else for now] Evo informed [but I suggest you exit the lab for now before a strain is caused to your body].
"You're right, send me back" Reid said, closing his eyes, prepared to be sent back.
When he opened the next, he was laying on the sofa in his bunker. A knock was suddenly heard on he door.
He moved to open up and found Mia standing standing there with a light smile on her lips. She held a food container in her hand.
"Good afternoon Reid" she greeted, still keeping her smile.
"Afternoon Mia" he replied with a smile of his own. He and Mia had quickly gotten close during the week.
He even started seeing her as family, even though that was a sore topic for him so he'd never admit it.
"I brought you some food, I hope you haven't eaten yet" she said as she handed the container to him.
"Thank you Mia, but you know I'm healed now right? So you don't have to do this" he said.
"But I want to" she said with a blush on her cheeks "anyway, I have to help my mom in the market so bye".
She quickly took off after saying that. Honestly, Reid was anything but a good cook.
The meals he prepared, although edible, lacked taste so Mia's cooking was appreciated by him.
At least, for the first time in a while he could actually appreciate the flavors on his meal instead of just eating a bland one.
"Thanks Mia" he whispered before going back into his bunker.
-----
Night time.
In a dark corner of the Scrapyards, stood a hooded figure and in front of him was a hologram displaying another individual.
The man in the hologram was sitting on what looked like a throne and he had his face covered by the shadows in his location.
The hooded figure quickly went to his knees.
"I'm sorry master, but our plans have failed" he informed in a respectful tone.
"Correction my dear follower, YOUR plan failed" the man in the hologram calmly said but his eyes glowed from within the shadows.
"I apologize master, my plan failed " the hooded man shivered and quickly rephrased his sentence. Even though his master was not physically here, he could feel a certain pressure on his back.
"How did the old man discover it?" the master asked.
"It seems Reid went into the caves and the old man went to save him" the follower explained " that's why the beasts didn't have enough time to absorb the energy from the cores to evolve enough to destroy the Scrapyard"
"Reid? You mean the disgrace of the Fletcher family?" The master chuckled, his tone dripping with amusement. "No matter. Proceed with Plan B tomorrow."
"Yes, master," the hooded man replied, his head still bowed. He remained in that position until the hologram vanished.
Straightening up, he muttered to himself, a sinister grin concealed beneath his hood. "The people of the Scrapyard will finally face divine punishment."
With that, he walked away to do his master's bidding.
The residents of the Scrapyard lay asleep, unaware of the impending doom.