The Scrap Tamer

'This is awkward ' Reid thought.

He was currently in old man Scrappy's home, for the first time in a long while, sitting on a sofa and waiting for Scrappy to finish preparing breakfast.

He had sent both Rusty and Nyx to the inventory to allow them to rest and recover their energy.

The old man's house was located closer to the exit of the Scrapyard, so that he'll be able to quickly respond to emergencies.

Scrappy had converted an old train cart into his house, somehow making all his furnitures — which included two sofas, center table, tv, a bed at the far end in a makeshift bedroom which was separated from the living room by a sliding door, a cooking stove and some lamps— fit perfectly without the place being messy.

On the center table was a picture frame containing a picture of old man Scrappy carrying a girl, who looked no more than 5, on his neck.

Her smile revealed a missing tooth and old man Scrappy, who seemed a bit younger, was smiling with the girl.

Reid picked up the picture frame to get a closer look.

'this wasn't here the last time' he thought to himself, just then old man Scrappy spoke up from behind him.

"That's my granddaughter, a large bundle of cuteness" he told Reid.

"I see, where is she now?" Reid couldn't help but ask.

"With her mom, they live in the city" Scrappy answered with a light smile "she might be the same age as you, or maybe a little older".

Old man Scrappy paused for a bit before putting the plates containing some pancakes on the table.

He went back for the two coffee mugs and handed one to Reid before taking a seat on the smaller sofa.

Reid looked impatient for the old man to start his questioning and Scrappy noticed this.

"Let's eat first, we'll talk later" Scrappy informed.

Reid took a pancake dripping with honey on it and took a bite. He was surprised at how good it tasted, so he started taking larger bites.

"Slow down kid, I know I'm a great cook but you shouldn't eat that fast" Scrappy said with a chuckle.

"Thank you for the food" Reid said when they were done with breakfast.

The old man's demeanor suddenly changed, with him putting on a serious face, causing Reid to straighten his back.

He felt the old man's pressure descend on him making it hard for his to breathe, before it suddenly vanished as if it was an illusion.

Although it vanished, the old man's warning was clear 'Do not lie to me!'.

"Reid, although I appreciate your help with the beast siege, when and where did you get two Silver-tier forged beasts" Scrappy began his interrogation.

He wasn't trying to scare the kid, he only wanted to make sure he wasn't doing anything he wasn't supposed to.

"I've had Rusty for a month now and Nyx for two week, I found them in the scrap yard and fixed them" Reid replied honestly.

"Rusty?" Scrappy looked confused "as far as I remember, Rusty was an Iron-tier forged beast, not some wolf-like creature".

"You're right, both Rusty and Nyx were Iron-tier forged-beasts but I found a way to evolve them" Reid explained.

"Evolve? As in increasing their ranks?" Scrappy asked in shock.

"Yes" Reid simply replied.

"And I suppose you're not going to tell me how?" Scrappy asked again.

"I'm sorry " Reid answered.

"It's alright kid, we've all got our secrets " Scrappy said.

"But forged beasts evolution?" He sunk I to the chair, feeling an headache coming.

Reid having someway to evolve forged beasts and although that was good, if other tamers or Forgemasters heard of this, they'd do anything to acquire Reid or his skill.

This was even more reason for Old man Scrappy to push through with his arrangement.

Where he would be sending the kid might not be the safest place for him but at least he'll be treated as a valuable asset than a tool.

"Alright kid, I've been thinking" Scrappy said, retrieving an envelope from his pocket " what do you think of joining the military".

----

In a certain area in the Scrapyard, a cloaked bowed, with his forehead touching the ground, in front of his master through the same hologram.

"I-I apologize master, plan B also failed and I'll accept any punishment you plan on giving me" he spoke, his voice trembling a bit.

"I see" the master simply replied "although I am disappointed, I will give you another chance to finish off the old man, do not fail this time".

"Yes master, thank you for your generosity " the man said "I will not fail you"

The cloaked figure repeatedly rubbed his head on the floor to show appreciation.

"You better not" the master said and ended the holocall.

Of course the master didn't think the cloaked figure would be able to end the old man, after all he was named the battle field reaper for a reason.

The master's goal was to get rid of the now, useless piece on his chess board, especially since it has already been discovered.

Back to the cloak figure.

He looked around, making sure that no one could see him before he took off his cloak. This was a uniform of their cult and he had to wear it whenever he spoke to the master.

When the cloak was completely removed, it revealed a man who looked to be in his later thirties, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was about to leave when a voice came above him.

"You know, I doubted my eyes earlier but you really are the cause of the beast siege" Mark, who was sitting on one of the roof tops with his owl beside him, spoke "or is that wrong, John?"

"M-mark?" John stuttered, clearly surprised at Mark's presence "I-i have no idea what you're talking about".

Mark dropped from the rooftop but gently landed without breaking a bone. He adjusted his glasses a bit before focusing on John.

"Oh really, but this video says otherwise" he threw a device which John caught.

On the device was a video of John, in bird's eye view, entering the wildlands. Whatever was recording the video kept following him without his notice.

John reached a bit far in the wastelands and although beasts were roaming about, they ignored him as if he was invisible.

He took out a weird looking device and pressed some buttons making the beasts pause, moments later they all moved towards him and obediently sat down showing that John was somehow controlling them.

The video continued with John giving the beasts a few more commands before ordering them with his device to move towards the Scrapyard and that's how the Beast Siege started.

John stood frozen with the video player in his hand. He was sure no one had discovered him but this video was proof that someone had.

"It's pretty useful to have a scouter and a recorder all in one" Mark said with a smile and patted the owl on his shoulders who let out and annoyed hoot.

"Didn't you think of your family, of Mia, when you did this?" Mark asked, his voice taking a sad tone.

After Mark's question, John let out a hysterical laugh confusing Mark.

"I am chosen by my master pass his judgments, and if he wills you sinners to be judged, it is my responsibility to carry it out" John said out loud, not even a hint fo remorse on his face.

"You found out, so what?" He continued with a sinister grin "I'll make sure my secret's buried with you".

As soon as he said that, he rushed to attack Mark, swiping his dagger at Mark..

Mark was stunned by John's words and sudden movement but was able to avoid John's dagger, only sustaining a cut to the cheek, which was all John needed.

Mark's body froze in place, rendering him unable to move.

"Surprised, aren't you?" John asked with a grin and raised his dagger "this dagger is laced with a lethal paralyzing poison which would take two hours to wear off, which is more than enough time for me to send you the afterlife".

John then slowly approached the paralyzed Mark, enjoying his expression.

"Farewell Mark" John raised the dagger in the air, ready to plunge it down on Mark.